The leaders of western democracies have been taking money under the table from Middle Eastern despots since Persians began bribing Greek political leaders in Athens. Understanding Syria. History 101.
Olmstead’s great work, The History of the Persian Empire, chronicled the bribes paid to various Greek politicians by powerful Persian emperors over thousands of years.
The process continues to this day. Bribery of Western leaders kept the Serbs from freeing themselves from Moslem domination. Libya’s Khadafi was recently overthrown because Western politicians were bribed to let it happen. He left 70 tons of gold.
If he had used even a third of that to bribe American Senators, English Members of Parliament, and various European Union Officials, he would still be in power. He did not fully understand that the wealthiest faction of Moslem extremists was paying, and promising, huge bribes for a chance to get his gold.
Turkish military leaders made the same mistake. Extremists seized their government. Their generous bribes ensured that the West would maintain a hands-off policy. Turkish military leaders still do not understand that they should have talked less and bribed more.
Egypt, too, initially failed to bribe outside powers. Tyranny was stopped only by the national realization that their ancient enemies would seize complete control, eliminating many of them, if they were not stopped. And, bribes were paid to allow them to fight back.
In Syria, Assad had the foresight to have an already working bribe system in place. His agents in America and Europe were already greasing the skids for decades. Now, it’s paying off. Assad’s bribes have paralyzed the West. Sunni bribes have worked in the Executive Branch, as they did in Libya, helping the Sunni attackers. But, the bigger bribes Assad provides to the Legislative Branch are paying big dividends, keeping him alive.
Who’s taking bribes from whom on the Syria issue? Looks like enough Senators are taking Syrian bribes to stall more overt support. Many of the Executive Branch officials are being bribed by Sunnis.
The Syrian war is being fought in many places, with many weapons. None are more effective than bribes to Western leaders.
