Was this nuclear-related?
A senior U.S. nuclear official said Friday that North Koreans were in Syria and that the government in Damascus may have had contacts with "secret suppliers" to obtain nuclear equipment.
The official US explanation doesn't include this nuclear angle, and instead says the strike hit "weapons from Iran and destined for Hezbollah militants in Lebanon."
Why would Iranian weapons bound for Lebanon be stored in northeast Syria? If the weapons were going to Hezbollah in Iraq, that makes sense.
Or was the strike even in "northeast" Syria?
Of course, the statement that North Koreans are in Syria explains the quick and heated North Korean reaction to the hazy incident. Especially if North Koreans were killed or injured.
If Syria is buying nuclear material from North Korea, I think we can guarantee that Syria is just the front man (servingg as West Iran) and that Iran is the ultimate destination.
Or I guess the North Koreans could be delivering small arms and ammunition bound for Hezbollah.
Something important seems to have been achieved. Just what is still hazy, as I noted.
UPDATE: I don't think this indicates a looming war. As is the quiet response of the Syrians. Right now the Syrians don't even admit to a strike. Note this:
It is interesting to note that the only countries to have launched vehement rhetorical attacks against the Israeli action have been Iran and North Korea, whose foreign ministry in an official statement accused Israel of a "dangerous provocation little short of wantonly violating the sovereignty of Syria and seriously harassing the regional peace."
So why are the Iranians and North Koreans so upset? The reaction of Iran and North Korea, who could be buyer and seller of whatever the Israelis bombed in Syria, is suspicious. Obviously, if this was some ordinary target, the Syrians could get publicity points by showing off the debris as proof of Israeli aggression. Would the debris be more damning of Syria?
Who knows, maybe the Syrians are building a baby milk factory that they will then blow up before bringing reporters to see the "strike" site.
