Here it comes: Syria
The point that your SecDef understood is that a rapid and unilateral action damages alliances and indeed any future alliances. How we got here is of little importance now - we are where we are. Unfortunately for the US population the pressing and cajoling of allies and friends to join this action before buggering-off without even a phone-call to international partners has undermined the credibility and standing of the US. Treaties clearly mean nothing, international organisations mean nothing, security pacts mean nothing and ad-hoc coalitions mean nothing. Nothing good will come of this.
So you are saying that this one decision to reduce our troop presence in one very small piece of Syria is going to equate to the downfall of the Roman Empire in essence.....is that correct?
NATO will disband, all the Treaties the US is involved with shall be dissolved, the UK will no longer buy American aircraft or spare parts, joint exercises are over....really?
I would suggest you are far more bothered by this than the folks steering the ship are.....as they know how the relationship thing works.
You are still going to buy American aircraft because you cannot build your own.
You will have to have US support and have to train to fulfill your role in those very treaties and agreements that exist as it is necessary for your own interests.
Let's accept that getting involved in a Civil War not your own is a very bad decision.
Staying out of it is the best idea.....and getting out as quickly as possible should you get involved is the better plan.
NATO will disband, all the Treaties the US is involved with shall be dissolved, the UK will no longer buy American aircraft or spare parts, joint exercises are over....really?
I would suggest you are far more bothered by this than the folks steering the ship are.....as they know how the relationship thing works.
You are still going to buy American aircraft because you cannot build your own.
You will have to have US support and have to train to fulfill your role in those very treaties and agreements that exist as it is necessary for your own interests.
Let's accept that getting involved in a Civil War not your own is a very bad decision.
Staying out of it is the best idea.....and getting out as quickly as possible should you get involved is the better plan.
So you are saying that this one decision to reduce our troop presence in one very small piece of Syria is going to equate to the downfall of the Roman Empire in essence.....is that correct?
NATO will disband, all the Treaties the US is involved with shall be dissolved, the UK will no longer buy American aircraft or spare parts, joint exercises are over....really?
I would suggest you are far more bothered by this than the folks steering the ship are.....as they know how the relationship thing works.
You are still going to buy American aircraft because you cannot build your own.
You will have to have US support and have to train to fulfill your role in those very treaties and agreements that exist as it is necessary for your own interests.
Let's accept that getting involved in a Civil War not your own is a very bad decision.
Staying out of it is the best idea.....and getting out as quickly as possible should you get involved is the better plan.
NATO will disband, all the Treaties the US is involved with shall be dissolved, the UK will no longer buy American aircraft or spare parts, joint exercises are over....really?
I would suggest you are far more bothered by this than the folks steering the ship are.....as they know how the relationship thing works.
You are still going to buy American aircraft because you cannot build your own.
You will have to have US support and have to train to fulfill your role in those very treaties and agreements that exist as it is necessary for your own interests.
Let's accept that getting involved in a Civil War not your own is a very bad decision.
Staying out of it is the best idea.....and getting out as quickly as possible should you get involved is the better plan.
Seems more damage control than master stroke, but absent any plausible way to a better outcome, it is sensible to cut the losses.
Back in March of this year....President Trump made a public statement that his decision to reduce the American Troop strength in Syria was coming....but did not give any specific time frame.
It was reported by National Media at that time.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/two-coalition-personnel-killed-in-syria-as-trump-signals-possible-us-withdrawal/2018/03/30/4c589d54-33fb-11e8-9759-56e51591e250_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.8607511d325b
Also....what gets missed in all this angst over his decision to remove 2000 troops from Syria....is there are 5000 US Troops in Iraq adjacent to Syria who conduct Ops inside Syria and support Coalition Ops inside Syria.
More information about the US-Turkish agreement that led to President Trump's announcement to withdraw US Troops from Syria.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/turkey...rces-1.4958234
You reckon some or all of the 2000 will wind up in Iraq as part of this "withdrawal" of forces?
It was reported by National Media at that time.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/two-coalition-personnel-killed-in-syria-as-trump-signals-possible-us-withdrawal/2018/03/30/4c589d54-33fb-11e8-9759-56e51591e250_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.8607511d325b
Also....what gets missed in all this angst over his decision to remove 2000 troops from Syria....is there are 5000 US Troops in Iraq adjacent to Syria who conduct Ops inside Syria and support Coalition Ops inside Syria.
More information about the US-Turkish agreement that led to President Trump's announcement to withdraw US Troops from Syria.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/turkey...rces-1.4958234
You reckon some or all of the 2000 will wind up in Iraq as part of this "withdrawal" of forces?
Last edited by SASless; 24th Dec 2018 at 13:42.
With no one with gravitas and integrity remaining in the cabinet, i.e., no adult standing in the room, let alone an intellectual national security expert, who is no stranger to the fox hole and front line of battle, who can call a spade a spade (and knows what a spade is), who truly understands the likes of Putin, Erdogan, etc. and has no “hidden” ties or obligations to the same, who understands the values of true international friends and allies, our poor fighting men and women, let alone the entire country, are now in greater danger than ever.
Anyone who has watched Boeing over the last two decades, since the merger with McDonald Douglas, the post-777 era, can anticipate the impact of that having a fox running the hen house will have on defense acquisitions, particularly for the Air Force.
Anyone who has watched Boeing over the last two decades, since the merger with McDonald Douglas, the post-777 era, can anticipate the impact of that having a fox running the hen house will have on defense acquisitions, particularly for the Air Force.
Rather simplistic and naive view of things isn't it?
Two years ago the President stated a desire to end American Military presence in all of these places and tasked the DOD and State Department to come up with effective plans to do so.
Perhaps all those adults and intellectuals you pinned your hopes on were not as capable as you thought and when the Boss saw there being either an unwillingness or inability to carry out his Strategic Policy Goals....he brought heat on those tasked to do so.
Those Intellectuals and Adults had Sixteen Years to figure it out for Afghanistan and here we are two more years later and we are still there.
Let's look back to how we got into these situations to begin with and suppose we take an unbiased objective view of that and lay responsibility where it belongs.
Syria was a French controlled area before it gained its short lived independence before it fell under Russian influence during the Cold War. Then the Obama/Clinton team went for Regime change and began to arm the insurrection groups which led to a rather long drawn out Civil War with Iran Turkey, the Iraqi's, French, Russians, Saudi's, Americans, and Brits getting involved.
Those policies by Obama/Clinton led to the rise of ISIS which Obama famously called the "Junior Varsity" as you might remember.
About the same time the Obama/Clinton Team saw to the over throw of the Libyan Leader and graciously "led from the rear" in the process.
That followed on their great success in the disaster in Egypt when they saw to their desired goal of regime change there.
Now tell me about the absence of Adults and Intellectuals in the previous administration will you?
You might add a short dissertation on the Obama administration re-ordering of the US Military senior leadership......what was it....over 200 very senior Leaders sent packing to ensure handpicked favorites rose to the upper levels of his Administration?
This is a far more extensive, complex, and difficult situation than General Mattis getting in a huff over a single President's decision to pull Two Thousand Troops out of Syria while leaving Five Thousand in Iraq conducting joint operations in Syria.
Two years ago the President stated a desire to end American Military presence in all of these places and tasked the DOD and State Department to come up with effective plans to do so.
Perhaps all those adults and intellectuals you pinned your hopes on were not as capable as you thought and when the Boss saw there being either an unwillingness or inability to carry out his Strategic Policy Goals....he brought heat on those tasked to do so.
Those Intellectuals and Adults had Sixteen Years to figure it out for Afghanistan and here we are two more years later and we are still there.
Let's look back to how we got into these situations to begin with and suppose we take an unbiased objective view of that and lay responsibility where it belongs.
Syria was a French controlled area before it gained its short lived independence before it fell under Russian influence during the Cold War. Then the Obama/Clinton team went for Regime change and began to arm the insurrection groups which led to a rather long drawn out Civil War with Iran Turkey, the Iraqi's, French, Russians, Saudi's, Americans, and Brits getting involved.
Those policies by Obama/Clinton led to the rise of ISIS which Obama famously called the "Junior Varsity" as you might remember.
About the same time the Obama/Clinton Team saw to the over throw of the Libyan Leader and graciously "led from the rear" in the process.
That followed on their great success in the disaster in Egypt when they saw to their desired goal of regime change there.
Now tell me about the absence of Adults and Intellectuals in the previous administration will you?
You might add a short dissertation on the Obama administration re-ordering of the US Military senior leadership......what was it....over 200 very senior Leaders sent packing to ensure handpicked favorites rose to the upper levels of his Administration?
This is a far more extensive, complex, and difficult situation than General Mattis getting in a huff over a single President's decision to pull Two Thousand Troops out of Syria while leaving Five Thousand in Iraq conducting joint operations in Syria.
Last edited by SASless; 24th Dec 2018 at 16:17.
Israeli military strikes Iranian targets inside Syria (Again!)
As reported by The Guardian.
Damascus rocked by explosions on second night of attacks, reportedly killing 11
Damascus rocked by explosions on second night of attacks, reportedly killing 11
"Those policies by Obama/Clinton led to the rise of ISIS "
and there was me thinking that Dubbya invading the whole of the Middle East was to blame.....
and there was me thinking that Dubbya invading the whole of the Middle East was to blame.....
Blaming Dubya to defend Obama/Clinton won't fly.
Dubya rightly gets the blame for Iraq but Obama/Clinton justly deserve the blame for Libya, Egypt, Palestine, and Syria as all that happened on under their tenures.
Dubya rightly gets the blame for Iraq but Obama/Clinton justly deserve the blame for Libya, Egypt, Palestine, and Syria as all that happened on under their tenures.
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Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
https://www.rt.com/news/449463-syria...srael-airport/
“Isn’t time now for the UN Security Council to stop the Israeli repeated aggressions on the Syrian Arab Republic territories?” Syria’s permanent representative to the UN, Dr. Bashar al-Jaafari wondered Tuesday. “Or is it required to draw the attention of the war-makers in this Council by exercising our legitimate right to defend ourself and respond to the Israeli aggression on Damascus International Civil Airport in the same way on Tel Aviv Airport?”.........
Placing little faith into Western intentions to bring long-awaited peace to the country, the diplomat noted that Syria plans to restore full sovereignty over its lost territories, including the Golan Heights, which Israel continues to occupy. “The restoration sovereignty of the occupied Syrian Golan is a permanent right of Syria that [is] not subject to negotiations,” Jafari stressed.......
Syria threatens to ‘strike Tel Aviv airport’ unless UNSC acts against Israel’s impunity
Damascus has threatened to exercise its legitimate right for self-defense against Israeli aggression and target Tel Aviv airport in a mirror response, unless the Security Council puts an end to IDF intrusions into Syrian airspace.Apparently fed up with years of Israeli impunity in the Syrian skies and regular strikes carried out in the vicinity of Damascus International Airport, Syria has threatened to retaliate in explicit terms.“Isn’t time now for the UN Security Council to stop the Israeli repeated aggressions on the Syrian Arab Republic territories?” Syria’s permanent representative to the UN, Dr. Bashar al-Jaafari wondered Tuesday. “Or is it required to draw the attention of the war-makers in this Council by exercising our legitimate right to defend ourself and respond to the Israeli aggression on Damascus International Civil Airport in the same way on Tel Aviv Airport?”.........
Placing little faith into Western intentions to bring long-awaited peace to the country, the diplomat noted that Syria plans to restore full sovereignty over its lost territories, including the Golan Heights, which Israel continues to occupy. “The restoration sovereignty of the occupied Syrian Golan is a permanent right of Syria that [is] not subject to negotiations,” Jafari stressed.......
If Israel is targeting Iranian(Hezbollah) weapons and bases inside Syria, 'in the vicinity of' Damascus International Airport, then why does Jafari make no mention of Iran, and why does he threaten to hit Tel Aviv Airport itself, and not 'the vicinity'?
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A BBC journalist finally confirmed an obvious fact that chem. attacks were staged by white helmets and their sponsors
https://news.alayham.com/content/stu...-attacks-douma
Note that his posts and twitter was quickly cleaned and he himself was pressed. Impartiality rules....
https://news.alayham.com/content/stu...-attacks-douma
Note that his posts and twitter was quickly cleaned and he himself was pressed. Impartiality rules....
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He confirmed nothing of the sort. If he "confirmed" anything it was that the two dead children had not died while hugging each other, but was placed in that position after they had died.
The truth is the first casualty in war. Information and its flow is a weapon.
There is nothing new under the sun.
There is nothing new under the sun.
Abraham, is it your position that it was 'cock up, not conspiracy' and if so, what are you talking about?
What post from what page are you responding to?
What post from what page are you responding to?
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a...port-7zt0jvcvt
Tehran eyes vital Syrian port of Latakia as gateway to Med
Iran is preparing to take control of Syria’s main commercial port, advancing its plans to secure a trade route from Tehran to the Mediterranean and establishing a significant foothold on Israel’s doorstep.
Talks began last month to transfer the container port at Latakia, 150 miles northwest of Damascus, to Iranian management from October 1, when its lease expires, according to The Syria Report, which tracks growing Iranian and Russian commercial influence in the war-ravaged country. That would give Tehran unhindered access to the facility, which has 23 warehouses and was handling three million tonnes of cargo a year before the conflict. The port would be the Mediterranean link on an emerging trading route through the so-called Shia Muslim crescent from Iran through Iraq — where Tehran already exerts huge economic influence — and Syria.
For Israel the move could present a new security headache. Iran already wields huge military influence around Damascus, where its Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC) and proxy militias such as the Lebanese group Hezbollah are operational.
The Israeli air force has launched waves of strikes on warehouses close to Damascus airport to prevent Iran bringing weapons and components into the country by air. That has pushed Tehran to repeatedly request access to Syria’s ports; something that has until now been overruled by Russia, President Assad’s other big international backer and the dominant force in the coastal area around Latakia. Russia is understood to have given tacit approval last summer for Israel to strike Iranian positions around Damascus.
Iranian companies linked to the IRGC have started shipping goods through the port, suggesting that Tehran might use it as an alternative route to bring weapons into the country. That could trigger new Israeli airstrikes and exacerbate creeping tensions between Russia and Iran as they vie for influence in post-war Syria.
“Russia has no desire to see Iran close. Even though both have fought for Assad, there are differences and competitions between them,” said retired Brigadier-General Michael Herzog, former chief of staff to the Israeli minister of defence. “In the past, the Iranians have deployed close to the Russians thinking it would deter Israeli attacks. But the Russians understand why Israel is taking action against Iran, and they accept it in most cases.”
Yossi Mansharof, an expert in Iran and Shia militias at the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security, believes Moscow is likely to allow Israel to launch strikes on Iranian targets around Latakia if it uses the port to ship weapons. “There are always talks between Israel and Moscow, there is an open line,” he said. “I am sure that there are talks going on already to find a solution to this. So long as it serves Russian interests, they will give Israel the green light again.”........
Tehran eyes vital Syrian port of Latakia as gateway to Med
Iran is preparing to take control of Syria’s main commercial port, advancing its plans to secure a trade route from Tehran to the Mediterranean and establishing a significant foothold on Israel’s doorstep.
Talks began last month to transfer the container port at Latakia, 150 miles northwest of Damascus, to Iranian management from October 1, when its lease expires, according to The Syria Report, which tracks growing Iranian and Russian commercial influence in the war-ravaged country. That would give Tehran unhindered access to the facility, which has 23 warehouses and was handling three million tonnes of cargo a year before the conflict. The port would be the Mediterranean link on an emerging trading route through the so-called Shia Muslim crescent from Iran through Iraq — where Tehran already exerts huge economic influence — and Syria.
For Israel the move could present a new security headache. Iran already wields huge military influence around Damascus, where its Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC) and proxy militias such as the Lebanese group Hezbollah are operational.
The Israeli air force has launched waves of strikes on warehouses close to Damascus airport to prevent Iran bringing weapons and components into the country by air. That has pushed Tehran to repeatedly request access to Syria’s ports; something that has until now been overruled by Russia, President Assad’s other big international backer and the dominant force in the coastal area around Latakia. Russia is understood to have given tacit approval last summer for Israel to strike Iranian positions around Damascus.
Iranian companies linked to the IRGC have started shipping goods through the port, suggesting that Tehran might use it as an alternative route to bring weapons into the country. That could trigger new Israeli airstrikes and exacerbate creeping tensions between Russia and Iran as they vie for influence in post-war Syria.
“Russia has no desire to see Iran close. Even though both have fought for Assad, there are differences and competitions between them,” said retired Brigadier-General Michael Herzog, former chief of staff to the Israeli minister of defence. “In the past, the Iranians have deployed close to the Russians thinking it would deter Israeli attacks. But the Russians understand why Israel is taking action against Iran, and they accept it in most cases.”
Yossi Mansharof, an expert in Iran and Shia militias at the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security, believes Moscow is likely to allow Israel to launch strikes on Iranian targets around Latakia if it uses the port to ship weapons. “There are always talks between Israel and Moscow, there is an open line,” he said. “I am sure that there are talks going on already to find a solution to this. So long as it serves Russian interests, they will give Israel the green light again.”........
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Washington The US has said that it suspects Syrian government forces of a chemical attack during an offensive in Idlib, the northwestern region dominated by jihadists, on Sunday.
A State Department spokeswoman said: “We continue to see signs the Assad regime may be renewing its use of chemical weapons, including an alleged chlorine attack . . . we are still gathering information but repeat our warning that if the regime uses chemical weapons [we] and our allies will respond quickly and appropriately.”
America bombed Syria over President Assad’s use of chemical weapons in April 2017 and April 2018. (Reuters)
A State Department spokeswoman said: “We continue to see signs the Assad regime may be renewing its use of chemical weapons, including an alleged chlorine attack . . . we are still gathering information but repeat our warning that if the regime uses chemical weapons [we] and our allies will respond quickly and appropriately.”
America bombed Syria over President Assad’s use of chemical weapons in April 2017 and April 2018. (Reuters)