Home
Syria Stunner: German Intelligence "Cooperating" With Assad, Berlin May Reopen Embassy In Damascus
Submitted by Tyler Durden on 12/18/2015 09:28 -0500
“Germany's spy agency is working again with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's secret service to swap information on Islamist militants,” Reuters writes, citing the German daily.
Reuters continues: “Citing well-informed sources, the mass-circulation newspaper said German foreign intelligence BND agents had been traveling regularly to Damascus for some time for consultations with Syrian colleagues.”
Bild goes on to say that the BND intends to establish a station in Damascus imminently where agents will take up permanent positions. That could pave the way for the reopening on the German embassy, which was shuttered in 2012. As Sputnik reminds us, "diplomatic relations were broken off three years ago when, the then Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, expelled the Syrian ambassador from Germany [and] the German ambassador to Damascus was withdrawn and the embassy closed for safety reasons."
You'll recall that Germany is gearing up to join the military effort in Syria. Initially, Berlin will send one warship (to "protect" the French carrier), 1,200 troops, and six Tornado ECRs to the country.
The idea behind the BND's cooperation with Damascus is to establish a fixed communication channel for use in the event a German Tornado pilot is downed.
Apparently, Berlin isn't keen on seeing one of its pilots executed in mid-parachute by US-armed FSA fighters or, alternatively, burned alive by one of Qatar's proxy armies.
If Bild's report is accurate, it raises all manner of interesting questions about the West's ongoing military campaign in Syria. If Germany, France, and Britain adopt a more conciliatory stance vis-a-vis Damascus than the US, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, Washington will need to figure out how to reconcile its hardline stance towards cooperating with Assad in the war on terror with the divergent approach adopted by America's Western allies.
Ultimately, this is yet more proof of just how senseless all of this is. Hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost and millions of people have been displaced only for the entire debacle to come full circle with Western powers looking to cooperate with the same government they sought to overthrow.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-12-18/syria-stunner-german-intelligence-cooperating-assad-berlin-may-reopen-embassy-damasc?
Submitted by Tyler Durden on 12/18/2015 09:28 -0500
“Germany's spy agency is working again with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's secret service to swap information on Islamist militants,” Reuters writes, citing the German daily.
Reuters continues: “Citing well-informed sources, the mass-circulation newspaper said German foreign intelligence BND agents had been traveling regularly to Damascus for some time for consultations with Syrian colleagues.”
Bild goes on to say that the BND intends to establish a station in Damascus imminently where agents will take up permanent positions. That could pave the way for the reopening on the German embassy, which was shuttered in 2012. As Sputnik reminds us, "diplomatic relations were broken off three years ago when, the then Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, expelled the Syrian ambassador from Germany [and] the German ambassador to Damascus was withdrawn and the embassy closed for safety reasons."
You'll recall that Germany is gearing up to join the military effort in Syria. Initially, Berlin will send one warship (to "protect" the French carrier), 1,200 troops, and six Tornado ECRs to the country.
The idea behind the BND's cooperation with Damascus is to establish a fixed communication channel for use in the event a German Tornado pilot is downed.
Apparently, Berlin isn't keen on seeing one of its pilots executed in mid-parachute by US-armed FSA fighters or, alternatively, burned alive by one of Qatar's proxy armies.
If Bild's report is accurate, it raises all manner of interesting questions about the West's ongoing military campaign in Syria. If Germany, France, and Britain adopt a more conciliatory stance vis-a-vis Damascus than the US, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, Washington will need to figure out how to reconcile its hardline stance towards cooperating with Assad in the war on terror with the divergent approach adopted by America's Western allies.
Ultimately, this is yet more proof of just how senseless all of this is. Hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost and millions of people have been displaced only for the entire debacle to come full circle with Western powers looking to cooperate with the same government they sought to overthrow.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-12-18/syria-stunner-german-intelligence-cooperating-assad-berlin-may-reopen-embassy-damasc?
» MM&C The Iraqi Private Banks Association told NEWS: These are the results of the Prime Minister’s me
» After a break of more than 9 years.. the resumption of a government trade meeting between Iraq and A
» Deputy: The general amnesty law will be passed
» A change in the fuel smuggling map... “control” over the central ports and “laxity” in the north
» Al-Sudani takes three urgent decisions to block the wheat mafias in Iraq
» Electricity embarks on an 11-axis plan to develop the energy sector
» “Thug and smuggler.” A female representative talks about a crocodile in Parliament blackmailing exec
» Al-Sudani told the US State Department: Iraq is keen to strengthen its democratic system
» The Central Bank sells more than $275 million at auction today
» The Minister of Commerce stresses the observance of the Iraqi standard in the supply of goods
» The Iraqi Trade Bank announces its participation in the process of localizing the salaries of Kurdis
» Iraq adopts an advanced system to combat money laundering and terrorist financing
» Increase in Euphrates River levels due to Turkish water releases
» Demands the need to legislate the capital law
» Parliament decided to extend the legislative term by one month
» A bank participating in the process of localizing the salaries of employees in the region
» Parliamentary request to the Ministry of Finance regarding defense mobilization dues/document
» Dollar prices in Baghdad and Kurdistan today
» Al-Rasheed decides to increase the ceiling for granting “construction” loans to 75 million dinars
» A government plan to expand the construction of water harvesting dams
» Frozen or banned? An Iranian official reveals the fate of Tehran’s money in Baghdad
» The Iraqi Trade Bank participates in the process of localizing the salaries of Kurdistan Region empl
» Finance confirms the Iraqi government's desire to benefit from the expertise of French companies
» After targeting its branch in Kurdistan... Dana Gas announces a decrease in its profits to $38 milli
» A parliamentary understanding to extend the legislative term to approve the 2024 budget schedules
» Stopping the Commission’s procedures regarding the region’s elections
» Foreign oil companies violate Iraqi laws
» The position of Speaker of Parliament depends on the political agreement
» The Ministry of Finance decides to send the April salary to the Kurdistan region
» It did not reach the Council.. Parliament determines the mechanisms for dealing with the 2024 budget
» 88 projects awaiting resolution.. What will happen to the stalled laws in Parliament? - Urgent
» Al-Sudani receives the US Undersecretary of State
» It did not reach the Council.. Parliament determines the mechanisms for dealing with the 2024 budget
» Advisor to Al-Sudani: Sanctions on 32 private banks caused financial problems inside Iraq (video)
» An expert comments on the use of the Iraqi currency in commercial transactions with Iran
» Why does Iraq depend on foreign banks for dollar transfers?
» Deputy: The fuel smuggling map in Iraq has “radically changed” from what it was years ago
» Petroleum Products announces a decrease in gasoline imports by about 8 million liters
» Government advisor: Collections will shift almost completely to electronic payment in the middle of
» Complete decisions of the Council of Ministers session
» Al-Sudani chairs the first meeting to restructure the government apparatus
» The National University holds its second international scientific conference with the participation
» Parliamentary proposals to extend the legislative term of the House of Representatives to resolve th
» Hanoun: We are working on preparing a six-year strategy to combat corruption based on technology
» The Ministerial Council for the Economy decides to stop the import of 6 crops due to their abundance
» Minister of Industry: He turned to Chinese companies to supply Iraq with spongy iron ores
» A foreign report reveals the existence of an undeclared Iraqi-British agreement regarding asylum see
» “Fares Issa” visits the Ministry of Finance and Economy in the Kurdistan Region
» Nechirvan Barzani: We want to address all problems with Iran and begin a new phase of relations
» The position of Speaker of Parliament.. Representatives confirm: “There is no amendment to the bylaw
» Demands to put an end to foreign workers
» Iranian official: We do not have frozen funds in Iraq
» Entering 31 countries in the world without a visa.. A look at the Iraqi passport during 2024
» An Iranian plan to export goods to Iraq worth $3 billion
» The Board of Commissioners decides to suspend the technical and financial procedures for the Kurdist
» Baghdad Governorate approves the two paths of the development road
» Mawazine publishes the full decisions of the Council of Ministers at its session today
» Asaib: The Sunnis are accustomed to having an external actor leading them
» The Iranian ambassador in Baghdad: The Sudanese government enjoys the support of the Shiite and Sunn
» Politician: Representatives of Taqadum “hurt” Al-Halbousi and their party
» “Deficit” is the password.. Parliamentary Finance decodes the budget delay
» Al-Sudani: The tourism sector will be a substitute resource for oil in the coming years
» Finance confirms the Iraqi government's desire to benefit from the expertise of French companies
» utube 5/4/24 MM&C Iraq Dinar- IQD Update - No Float of Exchange Rate - Budget -2024 - Schedules -
» After a break of more than 9 years.. the resumption of a government trade meeting between Iraq and A
» A deputy in finance expects the Council of Ministers to approve the budget schedules in today’s sess
» A deputy resolves the controversy over the “transfer supplement” in two ministries
» Al-Halbousi’s “vacant” seat.. Will the coordination framework end the “Taqaddum” dream of an allianc
» The Federal Government issues a state order to stop the Commission’s work procedures regarding the K
» Including the freedom to choose the bank and withdraw the salary for “free”... “My Account” features
» The Central Bank sells more than $250 million during its daily auction
» Al-Sudani receives a delegation from the Union of Arab Banks
» Iraq and the United States of America hold trade meetings in Washington
» In pictures... The activities of the Union of Arab Banks conference in Baghdad, “Day Two”
» The Director General of Ports announces the completion of berths (3) and (4) in Al-Faw Grand Port
» The Council of Ministers holds its regular session headed by Al-Sudani
» Parliament publishes the agenda of its session for next Thursday
» A government measure to reduce "money laundering" using the buying and selling of real estate in Ira
» Iraq proposes establishing a specialized council to combat corruption in Arab countries
» Al-Mawarid intends to establish infrastructure and investment projects for the water sector in Iraq
» The Federal Court issues a decision regarding postponing the election of the Speaker of the House of
» A government meeting to discuss financing and implementation mechanisms for the Development Road Pro
» Al-Sudani: Iraqi banks are on the right track with financial transfers
» Al-Khazali: The Turkish side is still imposing its conditions on Iraq
» Rights: We refuse to amend the bylaws of Parliament under political influence and desires
» Nechirvan Barzani: We want to address all problems with Iran and begin a new phase of relations
» Today, Iraq and Iran signed the minutes of a joint meeting related to trade
» KPMG International begins auditing the revenues of telephone companies operating in Iraq
» Oil: The seventh batch of equipment for the gas manufacturing project in the Nasiriyah and Gharraf f
» Al-Sudani assures the French ambassador of Iraq’s openness to “fruitful” partnerships
» Government move to install gold screening devices at 4 airports
» Sudanese Advisor: The oil sector is witnessing a rapid renaissance
» Opening offices specialized in employing people with disabilities
» Infrastructure and investment projects for the water sector in Iraq
» Adopting the electronic system in the next census
» Al-Sudani chairs the first meeting to restructure the government apparatus
» Business Council: Efforts to open a branch of the Chinese Bank in Iraq
» Iraqi diplomacy is balanced openness