Crook(e) -- and flail?

In ancient Egypt, the crook and flail were symbols of Pharaonic authority — simple shepherd’s tools everyone understood. Not symbols of power—like swords and maces in a Western country— but of commonsense and care.

They were —and are— metaphors for a certain kind of wisdom which I will remark later, epitomized by the great and aptly named analyst, Alastair Crooke.

First, however, Syria…

Syrian Confusion 1.0

It would seem from media confusion, no one really knows what is happening in Syria - not that the Western media actually cares — since their script was prepared years ago—and they don’t allow pesky little things like facts to distract them.

So, once again thinking “WTF”, I intended to post an article today to clarify what I could.

As I have mentioned the other day, I was wrong to think in the beginning that Turkey was only tangentially involved—insofar as this is more of a Turkish proxy offensive than just another terrorist jihad—suggesting that if the Israelis have a concept of “Greater Israel”— Erdogan — “the Sultan” has one of a “Greater Turkey” extending from Northern Syria right across through Iraq to the Persian Gulf.

Why? How? When? All questions that need to be addressed— and won’t be soon.

I also now understand why Simplicus thought — incorrectly — that his new war could degrade Russia’s campaign in the Ukraine - diverting resources. I might heve misunderstood him— but it appears he thinks —as many do —that Russia simply can’t manage a two-front war

That idea has been circulating in Ukrainian propaganda channels — looking back to 2016 when the Russian military was simply not what it is today —the world’s second biggest and most capable military force.

That was on thing.

But I also wanted to explain Syria’s complex matrix of sectarian interests— which that influences things—in myriad ways, adding to uncertainty.

Why is the Kurdish SDF, nurtured by the Americans with help from the Israelis now fighting for Syria?

Who are all these different groups under the umbrella of HTS?

Why do they include Uighurs and Turkmen and others?

Those questions —and the article— must wait another day.

Crooke and the crook of the crux

Instead of an update on Syria today — I would have you view an amazing interview with Glen Diesen, Alex Mercouris, and the wonderful Alastair Crooke.

It is mostly a monologue by Crooke and quite, quite different from anything you have heard from other “analysts”. Beware! It’s lonnnnnnnnnnnnng….. But worth the time.

This is my comment posted on the Duran,with a few points added for this post.

Alastair Crooke provides an amazing overview of the conflict between East and West, covering all the bases - -and includes an philosophical vision -- that no other analyst has--that puts the irrational public behaviors of the times in context.

I am always impressed by Crooke. In fact, of the various analysts on the Middle East, he is one of the brightest and best,along with a select view others - such as Jonathan Cook.

Of course, I am influenced by the fact that he is one of the few figures of note to quote MY writing on substack (on "Wunderwaffen" -- LOL - but it goes beyond that.

In my articles, I also talk about "linearity" versus what I variously call "multidimensional", "quantum" or "rhizome thinking"; "fictional wars" ("No Man Can ?Find the War"), narratives divorced from reality, and non-Western peoples use of metaphor rather than linear logic. Not to mention “bottom up” heterarchical organizations such as the Hezbollah military —and their superiority to “top-down” hierarchical ones such as we see in the Israeli, American and British militaries

However, unlike Crooke, I do not think Trump will change anything. Rather, the Donald wants to reverse change-which is occurring on a global scale.

As Crooke indicates, as an American businessman (“The Art of the Deal"), Trump thinks linearly, short-term, either-or— while Putin by contrast (as I have written in "The Tao of Vladimir Putin") thinks multidimensionally— long term—with multiple options. Not ‘either-or’ but ‘either-or -and- but- if’ .

He is between cultures, Western and Eastern, a very Russian thing. For Russia is both East and West. Here the “twain” meets

Humbled

Apart from that, I feel humbled by the depth and breadth of Crooke’s vision.

Crooke reminisces about talking to young Hezbollah military commanders who he found amazingly competent for their age (average: 21) . He asked them what they studied to achieve that competence.

They replied “philosophy”! No, not Kant or Hegel — more like the Tao — “philosophy” as “fundamental questions” relevant to life and human behavior. This breadth of mind,this ability to question and find answers, endowed these young men with everything they needed for real leadership — flexibility, humanity, and most important of all —empathy .

Crooke, of course, does the same.

He asks fundamental questions. He sees all the “a prioris”.

Which is why I think he takes my view on what the correctly calls the “long war” in the Middle East, the “ceasefire” that isn’t a ceasefire at all, and Bill and Ted’s Excellent Turkish adventure in Syria .

A lot of things in this interview, will be familiar to you, if you have bought me coffee and read my “special articles” which cover most of his points - just with different names.

I back up my arguments with research and scholarship. He backs up his with a lifetime of experience and direct involvement. He’s been there - done it. A lifetime of experience.

It’s a very long talk, as I warned. A lecture really. But listen to it all and think about it later. I will go over it in detail at another time.

It touches all the important points.

Sun Tzu. John Boyd. And now….Alistair Crooke.

Writing, writing, writing….