This is the definition of a lost cause. We didn't know it then, but the cause was lost when the Iraq war began. Like quicksand, the situation in the ME draws the US in deeper any time there is some activity attempted. The US should quietly cut short its losses and get away from there - let the Russians and Iranians rid the world of ISIS in their own way, and share the spoils. The US will lose a little face - and not even that, if the exit is made with the right words and attitude, handing things over in an orderly way. The US will still have powerful allies in Europe and the rest of the world, lots of oil, and less war related expense that can be used to fix things at home. Come to think of it, isn't this your garden variety business sense, something even ordinary people do in a smaller scale every day? Sometimes you have to cut short your losses and not throw good money after bad!
4
Putin is trained to take advantage of weakness and delights at President Obama's lack of planning and outright desire to cut the military budget like Jimmy Carter. The US lost a friend in Iran then and could do even worse this time. Putin has no idea who might replace Obama as president and has decided to get his way while it is easy.
2
Vladimir Putin and Basher al-Assad have been the cause of 4 million refugees' plight.
If the United Nations continues to fail to function on the level of a middle-school student, perhaps it is time to put the United Nations and its International Courts to bed.
If the United Nations continues to fail to function on the level of a middle-school student, perhaps it is time to put the United Nations and its International Courts to bed.
1
This is Iraq's version of "Shock & Awe" on America's continuing cultural ignorance of all things Middle East. Trillions of American treasure and the blood of our bravest men and women have yielded exactly what was forecast to the imperialistic and arrogant Neocons that ran George W Bush's administration.
Iraq, chiefly Shiite, is going to readily allow their sovereign airspace to be used by their newest ally, Iran (Shiite) and Russia to support Assad (Shiite). Why is this such a mystery?
Perhaps when American policymakers both in Congress and the White House get a clue that our enemies like the Neocon created Isis (Sunni) the Republican seed funded pre-Al Qaeda/Taliban (Sunni) and their Sunni allies Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, et al, are NOT our allies in any sense, then we can join in with Russia, Syria and (gasp!) Iran to defeat the collective Sunni extremists' vision of a caliphate. It can't be any worse than George W's disastrous Neocon "Strategery."
Iraq, chiefly Shiite, is going to readily allow their sovereign airspace to be used by their newest ally, Iran (Shiite) and Russia to support Assad (Shiite). Why is this such a mystery?
Perhaps when American policymakers both in Congress and the White House get a clue that our enemies like the Neocon created Isis (Sunni) the Republican seed funded pre-Al Qaeda/Taliban (Sunni) and their Sunni allies Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, et al, are NOT our allies in any sense, then we can join in with Russia, Syria and (gasp!) Iran to defeat the collective Sunni extremists' vision of a caliphate. It can't be any worse than George W's disastrous Neocon "Strategery."
8
Neville Chamberlin redux. Peace in our time. We free Iran of sanctions and unfreeze their assets. They buy arms from Russia and fight shoulder to shoulder in Syria for Bashar Assad. The refugees keep on coming. Could it be worse?
3
A stronghold in the Midfle East might give Putin a chance to test out some of his Electronic Warfare weapons.
Oh,..we're going to object. Hey everybody! We're going to officially object to Russia fiddling around in Syria. No, Really. I mean it. A State Department official has said "we're clear about our concerns..." Well, that's it then. The Big Red Line has been drawn. Now let's just see how those wascally Wussians wike that!
5
Russia's latest support for Assad reveals the desperation of the two to look for a game changer. Putin seeks to do the West a "favour" by urging the US-led coalition to join him to fight ISIS, hoping to come in from the cold after the annexation of Crimea and the conflict he helps fuel in Eastern Ukraine.
Assad needs all help available to secure Damascus and possibly the Alawite hinterland in the north. With the help of Iran and Russia, he hopes to regain lost territories. But his "Syria" will never be the same, even if he succeeds.
Assad needs all help available to secure Damascus and possibly the Alawite hinterland in the north. With the help of Iran and Russia, he hopes to regain lost territories. But his "Syria" will never be the same, even if he succeeds.
1
The BBC's Jeremy Bowen says he thinks Assad and Syria are in this for the long haul. The Assad forces he visited were well-equipped and had good morale. A look at a map showing how much of Syria is controlled by the Islamic State makes his situation look bad, but, apparently, the strategy is if the western sliver of Syria including Damascus is still in Assad's hands, then the fight for his country will continue. He has Hezbollah, Iran and Russia helping him in various ways.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34241256
4
We should give them the Crimean peninsula for the Golan heights and everybody is happy. Syria is nothing without Russia and Assad is all right. The first thing the Europeans should do is to lift their sanctions agreed or not ASAP.
If Assad's is looking to his Russian friends to assist him in constructing a "National Redoubt" should Damascus fall to the rebel forces, he is surely on a fool's errand. Damascus is the capital of the Arab world; the center of its political history. Were it to fall, a rump "Syria" based on the Alawite homelands will eventually succumb regardless of how many Russians first have to die.
A question that also arises from this is whether Russian flown air sorties will begin in Syria. If that happens, it will only be a matter of time when US airstrikes and Russian combat flights occur in the same airspace. Perhaps the US and its allies should finally declare various parts of Syria as no-fly zones and destroy any Syrian combat mission into those zones. Many of the refugees quoted in US newspapers point to Syrian air attacks as the main reason for their fearful departures. Stop the air attacks, slow down the refugee surge? Not likely as that sounds like part of a coherent plan beyond the squabbling European powers.
A question that also arises from this is whether Russian flown air sorties will begin in Syria. If that happens, it will only be a matter of time when US airstrikes and Russian combat flights occur in the same airspace. Perhaps the US and its allies should finally declare various parts of Syria as no-fly zones and destroy any Syrian combat mission into those zones. Many of the refugees quoted in US newspapers point to Syrian air attacks as the main reason for their fearful departures. Stop the air attacks, slow down the refugee surge? Not likely as that sounds like part of a coherent plan beyond the squabbling European powers.
1
Your ramble is way off target. The people are fleeing from areas under the control of the terrorist. If you're so eager with confrontation with Russia over fighting ISIS, make sure you are on the front lines. I'm sure ISIS will show you their appreciation when you fall into their hands and they take of your head.
2
Russia's support for Assad surely has limits. Indeed Russia may well conclude Assad has to go, in which case it will be arranged, likely in coordination with other regional players. Russia is much better placed to act as a balancer and mediator in Syria (if it chooses) than the U.S. This -- and the great prestige Putin would gain from it is probably Moscow's geo-strategic aim. For its part, the US has dealt itself out of this game. Partisan politics at home and an incoherent policy towards Syria have severely reduced US leverage.
11
Nobody could make this stuff up. Russia and Iran, the arch enemies of the US, fight ISIS and the rebels in Syria. Nice going. Thank you, Mr. Bush and the Cheney gang. For the information of the wilfully ignorant in the US, ISIS grew between 2003 and 2006, not after Obama pulled out the troops in 2011. And he did so in accordance with the agreement Bush had made with the Iraquí government.
7
"Expressions of concern" and "asking tough questions" is how the west is dealing with this. The Russians are acting once again as in Ukraine, while the US is just talking and distracted by the election freak show. This is getting kind of embarrassing as an American.
2
Let's think about this. If Assad was to pull back to his home province and the coastal region, he would need security that his area would not be overrun. The Russians are providing that security. As for confronting ISIS, which would be worse than Assad, since we are unable to back the Kurds in a major way and retake the cities from ISIS it may require Russian and Iranian troops. The USA has no territorial opinion regarding the failed state of Syria.
3
Agreed
1
If, as the Schmittt/Gordon article in the Times asserts, Russia is stepping up its backing for Mr. Assad and stepping up its fighting of ISIS, why are we dragging our heels and trying to impede Russia in its fight on what we keep claiming is our enemy, ISIS, when all the time we have our friendly arm around Saudi Arabia who is the force behind our ISIS enemy? While crying crocodile tears over the refugees, our CIA and Pentagon are creating them by supporting ISIS and Saudi Arabia. With this kind of confused thinking, it is little wonder the CIA and Pentagon have made such a frightful mess of our military gambits around the world. It would appear that the Russians are closer to a sensible strategy in Syria than we have been, so maybe we should give them a hand and stop backdoor support for ISIS through the Saudis.
8
"the military buildup by Russia, which has been supporting Mr. Assad throughout the four-and-a-half-year Syrian civil war, adds a new friction point in its relations with the United States."
Why? Our interests in defeating ISIS and Al Quaeda in Syria seem pretty aligned with Russia. Turkey would dislike having Russian soldiers in the north and in the south, but Turkey hasn't been truthful about its tacit support for ISIS, and Erdogan deserves Putin. Furthermore, all religious minorities in Syria support the Assad regime against the extremist Sunnis. Assad would stay in power, albeit diminished and at the pleasure of his Russian and Iranian sponsors, but what are our realistic alternatives at this point? Assad tortures selected prisoners, but ISIS kills those who don't follow their version of Islam.
Why? Our interests in defeating ISIS and Al Quaeda in Syria seem pretty aligned with Russia. Turkey would dislike having Russian soldiers in the north and in the south, but Turkey hasn't been truthful about its tacit support for ISIS, and Erdogan deserves Putin. Furthermore, all religious minorities in Syria support the Assad regime against the extremist Sunnis. Assad would stay in power, albeit diminished and at the pleasure of his Russian and Iranian sponsors, but what are our realistic alternatives at this point? Assad tortures selected prisoners, but ISIS kills those who don't follow their version of Islam.
6
As the great American philosopher, Yogi Berra, said, "It's deja vu all over again." Afghanistan and now Syria. Now the hatred towards the west will include Russia which is hated by most Sunnis anyway.
2
Never forget that Putin counts on our aversion to both our involvement in yet another war and the suffering of the millions of Syrians to further Russia's political aims. Never forget this. We are in a difficult spot.
1
Yes, but we created the spot we are in, no one else to blame!
6
If Russia is willing to step up, then the U.S. needs to stand down. ISIS is a rogue force that needs to be fought by any nation affected. SYRIA is in Russia region not the U.S. Grounds force can be more affective then airstrip especially and reducing less collateral damage.
1
It seems that the greedy corporations and governments never give up even after making the same mistakes over and over again until mission accomplished.
Do we see or even know the difference between what Russia did and the US did in Afghanistan and now Syria? Too many Americans and Russians aren't given all the facts being lead by media propaganda that plays on emotions.
Russia invaded Afghanistan, they are not invading Syria and are in Syria at the President Assad's request. However, Obama and his coalition tried using mercenary terrorists to invade and overthrow Assad and they ended up joining ISIS. Now, with Congressional approval, as if that makes it right and not Assad's approval or invitation, Obama has US troops on Syrian soil training so-called insurgents (terrorists. In Syria Obama is in violation of international law, not Putin.
Like Russia, the US also invaded Afghanistan after our terrorists puppet government the Taliban reneged on its agreement with the US. We partnered with Pakistan and the Saudis to supply terrorists with food, shelter, arms, education and training to commit acts of terrorism in Russia. We approved Pakistan's WMD that could be used against anyone, including Russia, India or the US and may end up being shared with the Saudis.
If Bush a Republican can invade Iraq, why shouldn't Obama a Democrat, have his own invasion rather than withdraw or useing terrorists. Unlike, Obama, both Bush and Putin now how to use force, not withdrawal.
Do we see or even know the difference between what Russia did and the US did in Afghanistan and now Syria? Too many Americans and Russians aren't given all the facts being lead by media propaganda that plays on emotions.
Russia invaded Afghanistan, they are not invading Syria and are in Syria at the President Assad's request. However, Obama and his coalition tried using mercenary terrorists to invade and overthrow Assad and they ended up joining ISIS. Now, with Congressional approval, as if that makes it right and not Assad's approval or invitation, Obama has US troops on Syrian soil training so-called insurgents (terrorists. In Syria Obama is in violation of international law, not Putin.
Like Russia, the US also invaded Afghanistan after our terrorists puppet government the Taliban reneged on its agreement with the US. We partnered with Pakistan and the Saudis to supply terrorists with food, shelter, arms, education and training to commit acts of terrorism in Russia. We approved Pakistan's WMD that could be used against anyone, including Russia, India or the US and may end up being shared with the Saudis.
If Bush a Republican can invade Iraq, why shouldn't Obama a Democrat, have his own invasion rather than withdraw or useing terrorists. Unlike, Obama, both Bush and Putin now how to use force, not withdrawal.
3
Huge Gas energy reserves were discovered offshore in the South Eastern
Mediterranean.
More discoveries will soon be made along the Lebanese, Syrian
and Turkish coasts.
Whoever controls the coastal areas will benefit from those discoveries.
The Russians are playing a shrewd card while also supporting their Syrian allies.
Mediterranean.
More discoveries will soon be made along the Lebanese, Syrian
and Turkish coasts.
Whoever controls the coastal areas will benefit from those discoveries.
The Russians are playing a shrewd card while also supporting their Syrian allies.
2
Our politicians are dumber than dumb.
We support the rebels, so the Russians support Assad. What have we not learnt in Iraq?
Bush overthrew Saddam who was the balance in the Middle East which caused Iran to get more influence in the area and caused Isis to form.. Yes! All you conservatives with head in the sand who blame Obama for the situation.. How short your memory is.
The thing I would blame Obama for is supporting Iraq who are a proxy for Iran and no better than Saddam. Yes, we have not learnt any lessons.
Let the Russians deal with Isis. Let it be their VietNam.
We support the rebels, so the Russians support Assad. What have we not learnt in Iraq?
Bush overthrew Saddam who was the balance in the Middle East which caused Iran to get more influence in the area and caused Isis to form.. Yes! All you conservatives with head in the sand who blame Obama for the situation.. How short your memory is.
The thing I would blame Obama for is supporting Iraq who are a proxy for Iran and no better than Saddam. Yes, we have not learnt any lessons.
Let the Russians deal with Isis. Let it be their VietNam.
8
While yes the U.S. should have never invaded Iraq and deposed Saddam Hussein, your god Hussein Allahu Obama withdrew all the American forces from Iraq who were keeping things stable - in direct contravention of what all military and foreign policy experts argued for. Then your gods Obama and Hillary backed the Syrian rebels - knowing that they were majority Al Nusra and Al Qaeda. Not to mention Obama and Hillary deposed Qaddafi in Libya without any stabilization plan whatsoever (and civil war still rages there) and they also supported the Muslim Brotherhood (Sharia totalitarian Islamists) in Egypt.
Bottom line: America has been plagued with totally and utterly incompetent foreign policy for many many decades, and trying to blame the incompetent Bush II for everything is ridiculous. Your guy has been in charge for almost 8 years.
Bottom line: America has been plagued with totally and utterly incompetent foreign policy for many many decades, and trying to blame the incompetent Bush II for everything is ridiculous. Your guy has been in charge for almost 8 years.
2
I agree with you, but if your politicians are so dumb, why do you elect them? Does that not also imply that the electorate in the US is equally as dumb?
2
One had thought that Afghanistan was the Russians' (Soviet's) "Vietnam.
If you read through the comments below ... the common word is "quagmire."
Yes, indeed.
Yes, indeed.
1
Putin is in for some nasty State Dept tweets.
1
My comment yesterday was not only pregnant with meaning, but prescient, too. (I'm Trump-ing!) But it was a no-brainer.
-------------
NYT, today, by Jane Perelz
BEIJING — New satellite images show that China has started construction of an airstrip on a third artificial island in the South China Sea that will strengthen Beijing’s military capacity in the contested waters, Western analysts say.
-----------------
Putin is taking a leaf from China's expansionist playbook. Why not? Get new military bases while the getting is good. While America's Pentagon and WH lapdogs fret, but do nothing substantive, or "in kind." Everything's shaping up for Armageddon ca. 2025. Our weakness invites it.
-------------
NYT, today, by Jane Perelz
BEIJING — New satellite images show that China has started construction of an airstrip on a third artificial island in the South China Sea that will strengthen Beijing’s military capacity in the contested waters, Western analysts say.
-----------------
Putin is taking a leaf from China's expansionist playbook. Why not? Get new military bases while the getting is good. While America's Pentagon and WH lapdogs fret, but do nothing substantive, or "in kind." Everything's shaping up for Armageddon ca. 2025. Our weakness invites it.
Just wondering......Please enlighten me NY Times.......How many refugees are trying to get into Russia?
2
Russia is supporting Syrian government on their fight against Islamic State and Al Qaeda. What is the problem here? Both Islamic State and Al Qaeda are supposed to be enemies of the west. Syrian government is secular and is enjoying wide support among its people.
Any sane people in the world would understand that the best possible outcome of the Syrian civil war is a Syrian government victory. It is utter stupidity that America is siding with Al Qaeda in Syria instead of supporting the Syrian government.
Any sane people in the world would understand that the best possible outcome of the Syrian civil war is a Syrian government victory. It is utter stupidity that America is siding with Al Qaeda in Syria instead of supporting the Syrian government.
5
How's that reset working out?
1
The Russian position supporting Assad was known since the beginning of the Syrian civil war, more then five years ago, but they always did it silently.
The West, that means the USA because the EU has no spine, ignored the Assad-Russia dangerous combination and did nothing for fear, also when the IS born, profiting of the Syrian nightmare.
The only little thing that the US did was sending light armaments to the Syrian Patriots and Curds, because US was not confident of their honesty, while Assad and the IS where using heavy armaments, apart the chemical weapons and gas used by Assad, with joust little spoken reaction by US and UN.
I don't like Putin, but he has now the merit to shake the sleeping West, I hope.
The Syrian civil war caused also the refugees' catastrophe.
On the subject Cardinal Cardinal Peter Turkson, Vatican's Minister for Justice and Peace, said on Sunday: “while we are trying to dry-up the water, we must also close the tap; but I heard no such a voice and all are responsible: the UN, the Western Governments, the African Union, the Arab League, and any oppressing county”.
Should we be said always by the Vatican what we have to do?
It is my idea that all the mentioned Bodies and Governments are connive with the Dictators and War Lords, directly or through their multinationals, so there is a general conspiracy of silence.
Moreover, UN must be re-founded democratically: one nation – one vote, no veto right and the Hague Court recognized by all members.
The West, that means the USA because the EU has no spine, ignored the Assad-Russia dangerous combination and did nothing for fear, also when the IS born, profiting of the Syrian nightmare.
The only little thing that the US did was sending light armaments to the Syrian Patriots and Curds, because US was not confident of their honesty, while Assad and the IS where using heavy armaments, apart the chemical weapons and gas used by Assad, with joust little spoken reaction by US and UN.
I don't like Putin, but he has now the merit to shake the sleeping West, I hope.
The Syrian civil war caused also the refugees' catastrophe.
On the subject Cardinal Cardinal Peter Turkson, Vatican's Minister for Justice and Peace, said on Sunday: “while we are trying to dry-up the water, we must also close the tap; but I heard no such a voice and all are responsible: the UN, the Western Governments, the African Union, the Arab League, and any oppressing county”.
Should we be said always by the Vatican what we have to do?
It is my idea that all the mentioned Bodies and Governments are connive with the Dictators and War Lords, directly or through their multinationals, so there is a general conspiracy of silence.
Moreover, UN must be re-founded democratically: one nation – one vote, no veto right and the Hague Court recognized by all members.
2
If the US wasn't arming and training ISIS,AlQaeda and Al Nusra there wouldn't be millions of refugees leaving Syria nor Russians and their military equipment going in. The US is being hoisted on its own petard!
2
Am I the only one who sees this as Obama's Cuban missile crisis? Had Kennedy and his advisors not seen the long range consequences of Russian armaments 90 miles off Florida, the Russians would have achieved a direct foothold in the Western Hemisphere. Now we stand back and let the Russians extend runways and send modern ground arms to a destabilized area and are unwilling to take a strong stance against it? There are times when inaction is the worst reaction, and this is one of those times.
That's correct. You are the only one simple minded enough to see it that way.
1
I simply don't understand, USA is supplying weapons to Saudi and Saudi is dropping them everywhere in Yemen, seems most of them getting killed are Yemen civilians.
So if similar thing is done by Russia, what moral rights USA has to preach others. Either USA should stay neutral and should not interfere or if interfering should see if it is doing right thing and not supplying weapons to Saudis, Pakistan etc. But it is ongoing since last half century and would stay same, if 9/11 could not change USA decision making people than I have little hope that they would stop hobnobbing with terrorist country like Pakistan.
So if similar thing is done by Russia, what moral rights USA has to preach others. Either USA should stay neutral and should not interfere or if interfering should see if it is doing right thing and not supplying weapons to Saudis, Pakistan etc. But it is ongoing since last half century and would stay same, if 9/11 could not change USA decision making people than I have little hope that they would stop hobnobbing with terrorist country like Pakistan.
3
What hubris the US has telling Russia to stay out of Syria. Did the US get Russia's permission before invading Iraq and Afghanistan? Or getting involved militarily in Yemen and Libya? As well as covertly in Syria?
This is really a simple news article. It’s about Russia keeping its navel base in Tartus Syria. Tartus is in the Syrian province of Latakia, which is the home of Mr. Assad’s Alawi religious sect. The Assad regime is made mostly of Alawites including the military. The Syrian state is disintegrating; the Assad government has lost large parts of country. Soon there will be a withdrawal into Latakia by the regime. Russia will then help set up a rump Syrian protectorate with massive military support. The rest of Syria will be in the hands of whatever war lords, DAISH, al-Nusra Front and others.
6
ruh roh, the plot thickens, who could have thunk it! power vacuums don't exist for long in the middle east, or any contested space, now we'll have another round of super power proxy wars, it's certainly good for the arms industry, which is good for the US, well, the people that own and operate the US, anyway.
1
Here again is another example of the totally bogus strategy by Obama to lead from behind. By taking the attitude that "we don't want to get involved", Russia has started to fill the vacuum. Soon, Russia will be the dominant force in the region, and the we will lose any influence we may have.
How have we come to this? How did we put this false ideologue into power? Can we ever turn back to our role as world leader? Can this Iran deal be the 'crowning achievement" of Obama's rein, when they are shouting death to America, and the extermination of the Jewish people in the region?
What a shame, to have to witness this wreckage from the amateur who we have as President. No wonder that so many of us are yelling at the top of our lungs - ENOUGH - enough with politicians who only act for the benefit of life-time employment in Congress, who act only in a partisan way, who waste billions, who are in bed with big donors - ENOUGH. We need to throw them out and learn a lesson about voting an orator who has nothing to offer but false ideology.
How have we come to this? How did we put this false ideologue into power? Can we ever turn back to our role as world leader? Can this Iran deal be the 'crowning achievement" of Obama's rein, when they are shouting death to America, and the extermination of the Jewish people in the region?
What a shame, to have to witness this wreckage from the amateur who we have as President. No wonder that so many of us are yelling at the top of our lungs - ENOUGH - enough with politicians who only act for the benefit of life-time employment in Congress, who act only in a partisan way, who waste billions, who are in bed with big donors - ENOUGH. We need to throw them out and learn a lesson about voting an orator who has nothing to offer but false ideology.
2
Russia was the dominant force in Afghanistan ... that worked out really well for them. Then we were stupid enough to try that too.
Another conservative who blames everything on Obama because he is black..
You forget who invaded Iraq under lies and caused Iran to increase it's influence and caused Isis to form. Yes if Bush had left Saddam alone we would not have Isis.
You forget who invaded Iraq under lies and caused Iran to increase it's influence and caused Isis to form. Yes if Bush had left Saddam alone we would not have Isis.
1
What is wrong with hide and watch?
What would happen if we didn't do anything? I am thinking we continue to develop our own energy sources; we sell the combatants arms made in the the US; we don't have to fly body bags and injured warriors back home. Maybe we could allocate more money to education, rebuilding infrastructure, and remedying the conditions which lead to drug addiction and the never ending drug wars.
Please remind me again of tall of the benefits the US gained from the Iraq war.
What would happen if we didn't do anything? I am thinking we continue to develop our own energy sources; we sell the combatants arms made in the the US; we don't have to fly body bags and injured warriors back home. Maybe we could allocate more money to education, rebuilding infrastructure, and remedying the conditions which lead to drug addiction and the never ending drug wars.
Please remind me again of tall of the benefits the US gained from the Iraq war.
16
Maybe when the suicide bombers come to the shores of the USA and blow-up some buildings and murder Americans in our home towns and cities, you will want to remove your head from the sand and make an assessment. Obviously, it would be a little late, don't you think? Iran's leader has made it very, very clear, he and his country is no friend of the United States of America. While Iran may not conduct the operations directly, they will pay for operations and for the weapons the terrorist will need to mount the attacks. Only a fool would want to risk the lives of Americans with a wait and hide policy that you apparently advocate.
Let me get this straight: Obama intervenes in a long standing civil war by covertly dropping 500 special forces into Jordan to train Syrian Rebels, then decides to seek funding to arm and fund them, and thereby escalates the civil war by doing the very thing he pledged not to do, namely picking sides. Now he's angry that Russia is doing the same thing? Why don't we instead spend our energy pressuring the Saudis to stop funding ISIS and Wahhabi terrorists? The UN has stated that both sides have committed war crimes.
5
The Russians are going to help Assad crush the opposition and probably thereafter ISIS. While lamentable from a human rights standpoint, perhaps a restoration of the Assad regime in Syria will bring some much needed stability to the Middle East after the disastrous attempt by the U.S. to intervene in Iraq. The U.S. went into Iraq to depose Sadaam Hussein, but were unprepared for the resultant infighting among various factions within Iraq. Restoring order in Syria will perhaps be a first step towards restoring order in the region.
5
"Russian Moves in Syria Widen Role in Mideast" is the headline of this news item.
There surely were many newspapers in the world which had headlines in their top news item on March 20, 2003 with words along the lines "American Moves in Iraq Widen Role in Mideast."
There surely were many newspapers in the world which had headlines in their top news item on March 20, 2003 with words along the lines "American Moves in Iraq Widen Role in Mideast."
1
If Russia wants a greater presence in the Middle East quagmire step aside and let them have at it. They did the same for us in Afghanistan.
10
Fine. Let Russia become involved again in the quagmire called the middle east. It's a lot easier to get into a scrap than to get out of one. And expensive! Both in money and manpower.
Having served 2 tours in Vietnam long ago, I know what a waste war is. I wouldn't advocate getting into another one unless 1. it's absolutely totally undeniably necessary and 2. we as a nation totally commit to it, with higher taxes to pay for it and a draft to supply the cannon fodder. When it's your own sons and grandsons being shot at, you may feel differently.
USMC, the tip of the spear.
Having served 2 tours in Vietnam long ago, I know what a waste war is. I wouldn't advocate getting into another one unless 1. it's absolutely totally undeniably necessary and 2. we as a nation totally commit to it, with higher taxes to pay for it and a draft to supply the cannon fodder. When it's your own sons and grandsons being shot at, you may feel differently.
USMC, the tip of the spear.
6
Having lost a brother in Vietnam Nam, I completely agree with you. More than 50 years later it still hurts. Too many see wars as a simple solution. Personally, let Putin march in and take over. If Afganistan hasn't taught Russia anything, perhaps Syria, ISIL, and the rest will. Since the end of WWII, we have populated the region wit proxy dictators who sold U.S. oil on the cheap while brutalizing their people. Suddenly that cheap oil isn't looking so cheap.
11
This guy sums up our government's understanding fo global affairs and foreign policy:
..."Senator John McCain, the Arizona Republican who is chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, complained Monday that the Obama administration should have done more to discourage the Russian flights.
“Capitalizing on American inaction, Russia is now engaged in a dangerous military buildup in Syria, which has been supported by supply flights, through Iranian and Iraqi airspace, despite expressions of ‘concern’ from Secretary Kerry and other administration officials,” he said in a statement.
But Mr. McCain did not specify what action he thought the United States should take at this point."...We get what we deserve.
..."Senator John McCain, the Arizona Republican who is chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, complained Monday that the Obama administration should have done more to discourage the Russian flights.
“Capitalizing on American inaction, Russia is now engaged in a dangerous military buildup in Syria, which has been supported by supply flights, through Iranian and Iraqi airspace, despite expressions of ‘concern’ from Secretary Kerry and other administration officials,” he said in a statement.
But Mr. McCain did not specify what action he thought the United States should take at this point."...We get what we deserve.
2
What idiots thought Iraq would shut down the supply corridor.
Russia just sold Iraq ground support aircraft, and has a large store of Russian equipment they need parts and ammunition for.
Duh.
Russia just sold Iraq ground support aircraft, and has a large store of Russian equipment they need parts and ammunition for.
Duh.
3
Let Russia do it. Their problem. Not our problem.
6
I think West misread Russia move.
Russia military doesn't have capabilities to deploy enough force to go on offence and deliver decisive victory against ISIS. 6 tanks and 2000 marines just would not make a difference.
Putin moves to create 'SAFETY ZONE' inside Syria. This ZONE will attract refugees - Sunni and Christians alike. Such security operation is much more simple to maintain than offence against ISIS.
Virtually nobody can say 'No' to such plan, since nobody is willing to take responsibility for 1,000,000's desperate people.
EU, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan an UN cannot say 'NO' because they cannot handle refugees. Even more, many countries will be happy to join in...
Why Putin needs it? Because 500,000-2,000,000 refugees is the perfect blackmail weapon to EU, Turkey, UN.
Assad will be happy to join-in to have his say on composition of 'opposition government'.
In worse case, Putin will just walk away and unleash waive of refugees.
Russia military doesn't have capabilities to deploy enough force to go on offence and deliver decisive victory against ISIS. 6 tanks and 2000 marines just would not make a difference.
Putin moves to create 'SAFETY ZONE' inside Syria. This ZONE will attract refugees - Sunni and Christians alike. Such security operation is much more simple to maintain than offence against ISIS.
Virtually nobody can say 'No' to such plan, since nobody is willing to take responsibility for 1,000,000's desperate people.
EU, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan an UN cannot say 'NO' because they cannot handle refugees. Even more, many countries will be happy to join in...
Why Putin needs it? Because 500,000-2,000,000 refugees is the perfect blackmail weapon to EU, Turkey, UN.
Assad will be happy to join-in to have his say on composition of 'opposition government'.
In worse case, Putin will just walk away and unleash waive of refugees.
4
One of the major reasons that no serious military action has been taken against ISIS is because the Obama administration insists that they will only support those fighters whom they find to be perfectly to their personal liking. The main reason that the Mosul or Anbar offensive has not been allowed to happen is because they insisted that only Sunnis should fight in Sunni areas. So they refuse to allow all the parties that are ready and able to fight because they are Shitte militias. They even stopped their cooperation with the Iraqi army because they weren't Sunni enough for their liking.
Or the reason that the plan to set up a fighting force backed and trained by the US has failed is because they disqualified over 90% of the applicants because of their beliefs in regard to Islam.
And while there are Islamic fighters who are in a fight with ISIS to the death, and have the skills and numbers to defeat them in combination with US assistance, Obama and team would not even consider it. Again because they are simply not to their personal liking.
So the Obama team would rather that ISIS keep winning and keep all that they have, than to actually do something to fight them unless and until they find the perfectly likable fighters that they wish for.
Even after their pipe dream of training a few thousand troops to fight and beat ISIS ended in disaster, leaving them with nothing they still insist that the fight against ISIS is their fight and that Russia keep out of "their" fight.
Or the reason that the plan to set up a fighting force backed and trained by the US has failed is because they disqualified over 90% of the applicants because of their beliefs in regard to Islam.
And while there are Islamic fighters who are in a fight with ISIS to the death, and have the skills and numbers to defeat them in combination with US assistance, Obama and team would not even consider it. Again because they are simply not to their personal liking.
So the Obama team would rather that ISIS keep winning and keep all that they have, than to actually do something to fight them unless and until they find the perfectly likable fighters that they wish for.
Even after their pipe dream of training a few thousand troops to fight and beat ISIS ended in disaster, leaving them with nothing they still insist that the fight against ISIS is their fight and that Russia keep out of "their" fight.
If you had read history you would know that blindly choosing an ally leads to catastrophic result as it's been proven on the U.S support of guerrilla group in Afghanistan led by Osama Bin Laden during the 80s.
The US and it's funny coalition who lead a less-then-halfhearted war on Daesh should comprehend two things:
1: there is no enemy in the middle east but Daesh and the other Islamist militias. Not Assad, as much as I despise him. If Assad falls, so will the last fortress against the loathsome Daesh.
2: There is no political solution to the war in Syria because the Islamists will never compromise on less then total victory. These are fanatics to the extreme who will never stop unless crushed by military force.
The idea of training "moderates" to fight Assad or Daesh is idiotic. Not less. The bizarre coalition who is composed of the French who proudly announced that they send two (!!!) surveillance planes to the war, the UK who contributed six (!!!) fighter planes on condition that they bomb only in Iraq, not in Syria where they are desperately needed, Saudi and Gulf states who financially supported the Islamists all along and continue to do so even as they bomb them, treacherous Turkey who fight the Kurds who fight Daesh etc. etc. Pathetic
The Russians see the impotence of the west and decided to take side. As much as I dislike them for all the known reasons, I wish them luck and success. If they succeed where the west utterly fail, crippling the Islamists, shorten the war and enable millions to return home, then I hardly care who does the job.
1: there is no enemy in the middle east but Daesh and the other Islamist militias. Not Assad, as much as I despise him. If Assad falls, so will the last fortress against the loathsome Daesh.
2: There is no political solution to the war in Syria because the Islamists will never compromise on less then total victory. These are fanatics to the extreme who will never stop unless crushed by military force.
The idea of training "moderates" to fight Assad or Daesh is idiotic. Not less. The bizarre coalition who is composed of the French who proudly announced that they send two (!!!) surveillance planes to the war, the UK who contributed six (!!!) fighter planes on condition that they bomb only in Iraq, not in Syria where they are desperately needed, Saudi and Gulf states who financially supported the Islamists all along and continue to do so even as they bomb them, treacherous Turkey who fight the Kurds who fight Daesh etc. etc. Pathetic
The Russians see the impotence of the west and decided to take side. As much as I dislike them for all the known reasons, I wish them luck and success. If they succeed where the west utterly fail, crippling the Islamists, shorten the war and enable millions to return home, then I hardly care who does the job.
8
US war and occupation have created a continued civil war in Afghanistan - and by the side, almost a civil war going on in Pakistan - Thanks CIA fooling GWB.
US war and occupation (thanks Riadh for advice, Bush for believing CIA, Bremner for execution) have created a castrated and defenseless Iraq, till not coming out of civil war.
US deliveries (Thanks, Obama!) have created the civil war in Libya.
US deliveries (Thanks, Hilary) have created the civil war in Syria.
And now, all these generous civil and other wars providers are unhappy, because a few huge dark tanks, surely like from Darth Vader, just come in and spoil the fun?
One un-blinkered look should tell them: It's you obsession with "regime changes" that has caused the gigantic misery around there. Each of the rulers and governments you removed had seen to more modern ways of state, society, education, production, women's rights that your friends in Saudia, Kuweit, Qatar, Emirates, Yemen Oman, etc.
You removed them - and what new did you bring:
Two parliaments and governments in Libya - on top of a chaos!
Two states in Iraq: one in Baghdad, and ISIL!
Two capital cities in Syria: Damascus and Racqua.
And the rest of the scenario is an enormous pile of dead bodies, millions out of any home, and Europe flooded with thousands.
Let's be simple: Russia is not there for oil - they got enough! Yes, they don't want to be pushed out into a prison camp, surrounded by US or proxy forces in a "Ring of Steel"! Right they are!
US war and occupation (thanks Riadh for advice, Bush for believing CIA, Bremner for execution) have created a castrated and defenseless Iraq, till not coming out of civil war.
US deliveries (Thanks, Obama!) have created the civil war in Libya.
US deliveries (Thanks, Hilary) have created the civil war in Syria.
And now, all these generous civil and other wars providers are unhappy, because a few huge dark tanks, surely like from Darth Vader, just come in and spoil the fun?
One un-blinkered look should tell them: It's you obsession with "regime changes" that has caused the gigantic misery around there. Each of the rulers and governments you removed had seen to more modern ways of state, society, education, production, women's rights that your friends in Saudia, Kuweit, Qatar, Emirates, Yemen Oman, etc.
You removed them - and what new did you bring:
Two parliaments and governments in Libya - on top of a chaos!
Two states in Iraq: one in Baghdad, and ISIL!
Two capital cities in Syria: Damascus and Racqua.
And the rest of the scenario is an enormous pile of dead bodies, millions out of any home, and Europe flooded with thousands.
Let's be simple: Russia is not there for oil - they got enough! Yes, they don't want to be pushed out into a prison camp, surrounded by US or proxy forces in a "Ring of Steel"! Right they are!
2
For the US and it's allies:
Killing hundreds of thousands of civilians isn't an escalation?
Destabilizing an entire region isn't an escalation?
Opening the ground for Al Qaeda, IS and the Taliban isn't an escalation?
Having a record that goes back more than half a century in toppling those that are stabilizing factors in the region isn't an escalation?
Expanding one's operations and use hundreds of thousands of soldiers isn't an escalation
For the Russians:
Strengthening an existing post in order top prepare for an oncoming assault due to an existing conflict is an escalation?
When will we see Bush, Cheney, Rice, Rumsfield, Obama and the rest of these warlords in The Hague for crimes against humanity?
Most of the wars they ran are simply illegal assaults as most have not been covered by International law let alone a UN mandate and that goes back even further.
The US has been the single most aggressive and warmongering state since the end of WWII.
Time to judge on this state and it's governments.
Time to put them on trial.
Every empire that has had it's heyday becomes a fascist military operation towards it's end.
The USSR had this coming and now it seems that the US is on the same path.
Killing people by the millions, when you look at the wars the US started since WWII and then trying to blame it on the others is not a working solution when the world is watching.
Killing hundreds of thousands of civilians isn't an escalation?
Destabilizing an entire region isn't an escalation?
Opening the ground for Al Qaeda, IS and the Taliban isn't an escalation?
Having a record that goes back more than half a century in toppling those that are stabilizing factors in the region isn't an escalation?
Expanding one's operations and use hundreds of thousands of soldiers isn't an escalation
For the Russians:
Strengthening an existing post in order top prepare for an oncoming assault due to an existing conflict is an escalation?
When will we see Bush, Cheney, Rice, Rumsfield, Obama and the rest of these warlords in The Hague for crimes against humanity?
Most of the wars they ran are simply illegal assaults as most have not been covered by International law let alone a UN mandate and that goes back even further.
The US has been the single most aggressive and warmongering state since the end of WWII.
Time to judge on this state and it's governments.
Time to put them on trial.
Every empire that has had it's heyday becomes a fascist military operation towards it's end.
The USSR had this coming and now it seems that the US is on the same path.
Killing people by the millions, when you look at the wars the US started since WWII and then trying to blame it on the others is not a working solution when the world is watching.
Of course, our "allies" Israel and Saudi Arabia will pressure the US to
stop Russia from aiding Assad. Both countries regard Iran as their main
enemy and covertly support rebel groups--including ISIS and Al Qaeda--
that are trying to defeat Assad. From their perspective, Assad is an ally
of Iran, and his defeat is a defeat for Iran. So they are happy to have ISIS
and al Qaeda do their dirty work for them.
stop Russia from aiding Assad. Both countries regard Iran as their main
enemy and covertly support rebel groups--including ISIS and Al Qaeda--
that are trying to defeat Assad. From their perspective, Assad is an ally
of Iran, and his defeat is a defeat for Iran. So they are happy to have ISIS
and al Qaeda do their dirty work for them.
3
I'm not so sure that Israel will be against Russia aiding Assad. I think the Israelis know how to live with Assad and would welcome the Russian aid to him. The Saudis are a bit more difficult to read but I think they too will welcome help for Assad. The Saudis are all about dynasty, and so is Assad.
1
The fatuousness of some of the Putin fans below is staggering. His efforts at the sub rosa reinvention of the Soviet Union, fundamental to his political survival given the economic disaster he presides over, is clearly based on recognition that the U.S. under Obama has voluntarily surrendered the "superpower" status he lusts after. Syria, Ukraine, Crimea, threats to the Baltic states are ugly enough but things will get worse.
6
Excellent comment, spot on. But as your first sentence suggests, unlikely to have any effect. "Hope and Change" has had one big effect on America: "self-hatred."
2
European and American Democracy had delivered .... Death, Despair and Destruction - D3? Anything any other country can deliver will be better than this. So I think and my estimate is all parties in Syria are welcoming Putin.
Before America and Europe start a civil war in other countries I suggest they should also agree to accept refugees from these targeted countries.
PS Note to nytimes, you should have the courage not to censor opinion as this.
Before America and Europe start a civil war in other countries I suggest they should also agree to accept refugees from these targeted countries.
PS Note to nytimes, you should have the courage not to censor opinion as this.
12
Daesh (ISIS) has developed thanks to the ill-based Bush's, Blair's and consorts 2003 campaign in Iraq.
Consequently to the bloody quagmire that resulted from the suppression of Saddam Hussein regime, I think that, unfortunately or not, America's strategic opinion concerning the Middle East the region is now -- and for long decades -- spoiled.
And for sure, Russia may appear now as a more trustworthy ally to many people -- and overall -- with less stupid moves than the USA.
I am sorry for Mr Obama that he has inherited this horribly complex situation (and we don't mention how it must be diificult to resist to military-industrial lobby pressure) because his promise was so beautiful in 2008 but... well, c'est la vie!
If anybody disagrees with my opinion i would be interested to discuss!
Cheers
Consequently to the bloody quagmire that resulted from the suppression of Saddam Hussein regime, I think that, unfortunately or not, America's strategic opinion concerning the Middle East the region is now -- and for long decades -- spoiled.
And for sure, Russia may appear now as a more trustworthy ally to many people -- and overall -- with less stupid moves than the USA.
I am sorry for Mr Obama that he has inherited this horribly complex situation (and we don't mention how it must be diificult to resist to military-industrial lobby pressure) because his promise was so beautiful in 2008 but... well, c'est la vie!
If anybody disagrees with my opinion i would be interested to discuss!
Cheers
6
Poor Obama, so helpless like a child. This is Obama's doing from his Red Line to leading from behind, Putin has been using him like a tool and Obama has no answers but then again he never did. All presidents inherit things from previous generations but only Obama is helpless before them. Stop electing incompetents.
1
I am sorry for Mr Obama that he has inherited this horribly complex situation
-----------------------------
Balderdash. Watch PBS Frontline* -- not a Fox News subsidiary -- to see "The Rise of ISIS" and several months later, "Obama's Wars." Obama abandoned Iraq prematurely and left a vacuum. In thrall to his ignoble Nobel Peace Prize, most likely.
-----------------------------
Balderdash. Watch PBS Frontline* -- not a Fox News subsidiary -- to see "The Rise of ISIS" and several months later, "Obama's Wars." Obama abandoned Iraq prematurely and left a vacuum. In thrall to his ignoble Nobel Peace Prize, most likely.
Russia in Syria and the Ukraine. China messing with all those islands that are important to - eh, Vietnam. Gigantic migration of Muslims into Europe - and Europe doesn't want them. And so on, and on. Clearly, the next president of the US will enter into office in a world of major problems.
Problems galore - but not ours unless the next president makes them ours. You have to admire Obama on his ability to appear deeply concerned about these threats - while actually doing almost nothing that will effect any change. It's almost laughable. Just last month Obama during his Alaska excursion ordered the construction of US Coast Guard icebreakers because he just learned - just learned?? - that Russia has at least twenty military icebreakers operating in the Arctic - and the US? - the US has none.
Obama has truly dialed up the impotence level on US foreign policy. Lots of new found thunder - but we know - and They Know - it's all simply bluster.
Problems galore - but not ours unless the next president makes them ours. You have to admire Obama on his ability to appear deeply concerned about these threats - while actually doing almost nothing that will effect any change. It's almost laughable. Just last month Obama during his Alaska excursion ordered the construction of US Coast Guard icebreakers because he just learned - just learned?? - that Russia has at least twenty military icebreakers operating in the Arctic - and the US? - the US has none.
Obama has truly dialed up the impotence level on US foreign policy. Lots of new found thunder - but we know - and They Know - it's all simply bluster.
7
I only want to ask people like you one question: Do you think wars are cheap? We need to worry about what is going on within our own borders. We should spend more on education and infrastructure not on containing foreign powers far away from us. People are unbelievably illiterate in the States and thus easily prey to nationalistic agendas of the 19th century. We must be pragmatic and find middle ground with our enemies.
Hey, what could POSSIBLY go wrong? Russians don't speak the native language(s); Russians don't cotton to Islam, and their military has a string of outright failures in Afghanistan (see above) to draw on.
This may look like an 'intervention opportunity' to the warmonger-ship of McCain and Graham; it certainly doesn't to me.
This may look like an 'intervention opportunity' to the warmonger-ship of McCain and Graham; it certainly doesn't to me.
7
Why is it for Americans so difficult to understand that the world doesn't belong to Washington's neocons to keep their defence industry happy. USA has more than 900 military bases in the world and maintain 67,000 troops and 120 nuclear bombs in Europe alone. Nobody asks for these US military intrusions in sovereign countries. Protests in Okinawa, Japan show that the people want US bases closed and leave the country.US forces have become a liability in the world and ONLY serve American commercial interests and industries.
Now Washington is worried about Russia establishing a basis in Syria to support an elected Assad government who doesn't want to listen to Washington and defends his nation against aggressive ISIS extremists who are financed and supported by the West. Assad has seen what US foreign invasions has done to Iraq, Libya and other nations in the Middle East. Or let's talk about Reagangate where drug money was illegally used for arms in Afghanistan to support 'later National Enemy Nr !, Osama-Bin-Laden to fight the Russians.
Since WW II USA has excelled in attacking sovereign nations, destabilizing countries worldwide, financing coup's (Ukraine) and so on. So, yes President Putin has become a thorn in the eyes of Washington's warmongers. But Russia has always been defensive not aggressive like US foreign policies in the past 70 years.
Now Washington is worried about Russia establishing a basis in Syria to support an elected Assad government who doesn't want to listen to Washington and defends his nation against aggressive ISIS extremists who are financed and supported by the West. Assad has seen what US foreign invasions has done to Iraq, Libya and other nations in the Middle East. Or let's talk about Reagangate where drug money was illegally used for arms in Afghanistan to support 'later National Enemy Nr !, Osama-Bin-Laden to fight the Russians.
Since WW II USA has excelled in attacking sovereign nations, destabilizing countries worldwide, financing coup's (Ukraine) and so on. So, yes President Putin has become a thorn in the eyes of Washington's warmongers. But Russia has always been defensive not aggressive like US foreign policies in the past 70 years.
17
But Russia has always been defensive not aggressive
-----------------
Apparently you never heard of the Cuban Missile Crisis in the early 1960s, or Afghanistan in the late 1970s, or Cuban soldiers forced to fight in Angola's civil war on Russia's behalf -- the dead Cubans are buried in Angola -- among other wars and insurrections started by the Evil Empire of Russia, and its leading arms manufacturer, Czechoslovakia.
-----------------
Apparently you never heard of the Cuban Missile Crisis in the early 1960s, or Afghanistan in the late 1970s, or Cuban soldiers forced to fight in Angola's civil war on Russia's behalf -- the dead Cubans are buried in Angola -- among other wars and insurrections started by the Evil Empire of Russia, and its leading arms manufacturer, Czechoslovakia.
The authors as expected and conveniently for them forgot to tell Russia, Hezbollah and Iran intervened on the side of the legally recognized government and only after the US with their Saudi 'democratic?' friends send tens of thousands of Salafist head choppers to Syria to destroy the country. Obama will forever in history be known as the destroyer of Syria. A rather big achievement. Ready for Mount Destroymore?
7
The US, Turkey and the Gulf States are violating international law by supporting an uprising in Syria.
The Syrian government has all the right in the world to ask Russia for military support.
Please don't put things upside down!
The Syrian government has all the right in the world to ask Russia for military support.
Please don't put things upside down!
8
Why so much anti-Russian bias in the media? Is the build up of Russian military in the region any different to attacking ME countries on the basis of lies? Surely the Russian aim to help Assad beat ISIS is a good thing and they should work together to beat the common enemy, after that it is up to each nation to decide the next step. The US and Russia were allies in WW2 and defeated the most evil dictator in history, so why not wipe out the hell that is ISIS together. Who each one sides with after ISIS, is a separate issue.
10
The US has been unsuccessful at stemming gains of extremists except in Kurdish areas. The US has neglected to bomb areas that ISIS is advancing against Assad held areas. Those areas are predominately inhabited by Christians and Allawites. If ISIS advances into those areas, they will commit acts of genocide against the local population. This, I believe, underlines the hypocritical reason why the US is in the middle east. The US is there for potential oil contracts and serving its geopolitical partners rather than defending human rights and freedoms.
Germany and France just announced their suppport for Russia involment with the hope it will stem refugee flows. Albeit Russia´s involvement is to serve their own interests, military base and influence, their interests coincide with defending an area populated with minorities, unlike the US´s
Germany and France just announced their suppport for Russia involment with the hope it will stem refugee flows. Albeit Russia´s involvement is to serve their own interests, military base and influence, their interests coincide with defending an area populated with minorities, unlike the US´s
4
Truly, it makes one wonder why Obama is so bent on taking Assad out even though he knows ISIS will fill that power vacuum.
This article just magnifies a criminal nature of our foreign policy in Syria.
We literally help organize secretariat violence in the middle East with the ultimate goal of fractioning large and relatively powerful states for the sake of Israel security and dominance in the middle east. The outcome might be surprising and terrifying.
ISIS is nothing else but CIA led and organized militia serving our interests in the region. Our bogus campaign against this Frankenstein of our foreign policy is pathetic.
We literally help organize secretariat violence in the middle East with the ultimate goal of fractioning large and relatively powerful states for the sake of Israel security and dominance in the middle east. The outcome might be surprising and terrifying.
ISIS is nothing else but CIA led and organized militia serving our interests in the region. Our bogus campaign against this Frankenstein of our foreign policy is pathetic.
6
The overriding thought should be, is Syria better off under a brutal dictatorship or fragmented into a stateless region with multiple fiefdoms controlled by Islamic-terrorists? Do we really want another Somalia or Libya or Iraq or Afghanistan? The US naively assumes that removing the dictator will allow democracy to flourish, wrong. The Syria before the conflict, even with all its oppression, pales in comparison to the shattered county that now exists. The Russians have no illusions as to what would happen with regime change. They would lose their only naval base outside of Russia. They would have large groups of heavily armed experienced islamo-terrorists next door to Chechnya, a country they has spent decades trying to pacify and root out terrorism. As to the Russian's advanced weaponry, pleeease. The T90 tank is twenty-five years old and the SU-24 ground attack jet (similar to the A-10) has been in service since 1978. The Russians are setting up a protected ring round their naval base and their air base. The old saying, "my enemy's enemy is my friend" is so very true. Russia is doing us a serious favor and we can bluster and protest, but at the end of the day I see the Russians as a positive force in the region. I personally applaud them. The Russians don't care about political correctness and that is why they will succeed where we have failed miserably in every theater of war since Viet-Nam. War is brutal and horrific and their is absolutely no nice way to conduct it.
7
I just saw a poll showing that 60% of the American public is ready to send ground troops into Syria. Of course, probably almost everyone in that 60% has no family in the Army or Marines.
I would let the Russians have their foothold in Syria. If they and Iran can defeat ISIS, great. But I think I see yet another American war in the Middle East, beginning in 2017. I wonder what the public reaction will be to the first video of a U.S. POW being beheaded by ISIS.
I would let the Russians have their foothold in Syria. If they and Iran can defeat ISIS, great. But I think I see yet another American war in the Middle East, beginning in 2017. I wonder what the public reaction will be to the first video of a U.S. POW being beheaded by ISIS.
7
Let us hope that the drum beaters will introduce the draft so that more families can participate this time. And also a tax surcharge to pay for the folly so our kids won't be saddled with the debt like they are with Iraq and Afghanistan.
1
Once again the McCains of the country are beating the anti-Russia drum. Why do we care who runs that pathetic country? It has zero impact on the US. We meddle in all these countries for no reason other than that Russia is there with tanks or whatever. Let Russia have their influence. Maybe something will evolve that has eluded us. As for McCain and his type, shut up unless you have a concrete proposal. And if that proposal includes spending money, please attach a plan to cover the cost such as an income tax surcharge. And add the draft if you want to engage on the ground. Either of those options will quickly stop the drum beating.
9
Methinks you've got it wrong, for it is the Obama crowd beating the anti-Russia drum and further escalating a civil war that simply cannot see ISIS prevail. Obama is calling the shots, not McCain.
Maybe you missed the last three paragraphs of the article?
Russia is right to support Assad. America was wrong to kill Saddam. Secular
leaders both. I wish Russia well in its war against ISIL. I am ashamed to have
voted for George Bush who got us into false flag wars.
leaders both. I wish Russia well in its war against ISIL. I am ashamed to have
voted for George Bush who got us into false flag wars.
7
But, golly gee, Russia was our negotiating partner when we really put the screws to Iran in that historic treaty/deal/farce which placed the biggest and best restrictions on another country's nuclear program ever! Really! Kerry said so.
4
Golly gee, yes they were with us in the negotiations. Is it always necessary to find mutually exclusive situations in the world? Is coexistence such an anathema? Past Presidents sure did a good job with No Korea, Pakistan, Israel..... Just maybe this will work?
The Spanish Civil War became a testing ground for weapons that would be deployed in WW2. The US Military is trying drones. Why not give Russia equal opportunity for equal stupidity?
3
I would think we would rather deal with Putin/Assad over ISIL. What is the U.S. problem? We aren't sending troops in to fight these extremists.
6
Instead of worrying about political maneuvering by Russia or NATO or us, we should concentrate on the human catastrophe that has developed in Syria. We must put an end to the suffering so that people will be able to return to their homes instead of risking lives in and unceasing refugee trek.
We should put all the troops necessary, 100,000 or more, to separate the combatants, protect the civilians; we should prevent all flights except for those aimed at DAISH. This military effort should include troops from NATO (including ours) and Russians.
And we all should offer billions to make the various camps in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, decently livable.
I believe the Russians have indicated that the Damascus government should be more inclusive. We should join in this effort and worry about Assad's fate later. What is desperately needed is PEACE.
We should put all the troops necessary, 100,000 or more, to separate the combatants, protect the civilians; we should prevent all flights except for those aimed at DAISH. This military effort should include troops from NATO (including ours) and Russians.
And we all should offer billions to make the various camps in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, decently livable.
I believe the Russians have indicated that the Damascus government should be more inclusive. We should join in this effort and worry about Assad's fate later. What is desperately needed is PEACE.
2
We have given $4.1 billion to refugee assistance to date, more than any other country or group of countries in the world.
When I wrote "All" I meant "ALL" the UN countries. The 4.1 billion is. for over 3 years. Given that there are some 4 million encamped in the area, our contribution amounts about $,1000/ refugee over 3 years or $330/yr. We must also take into account that our foreign contributions have to cover administrative expenses which are quite high for our expats, as ws vividly shown in Afghanistan and Iraq. A big increase is needed t provide "decently livable" shelters.
About time!
Hopefully the Russians can roll back some of the chaos Washington has engineered in Syria; including a mass migration that left Europeans holding the bag for America's reckless geopolitical shenanigans.
Putin is a gifted and merciless annihilator of Sunni fundamentalist jihadists (see Chechnya). I'd love to see him minister in that fashion to the neocon agents in ISIS.
Hopefully the Russians can roll back some of the chaos Washington has engineered in Syria; including a mass migration that left Europeans holding the bag for America's reckless geopolitical shenanigans.
Putin is a gifted and merciless annihilator of Sunni fundamentalist jihadists (see Chechnya). I'd love to see him minister in that fashion to the neocon agents in ISIS.
1
Russia proposed more than three years ago that Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad, could step down as part of a peace deal, according to a senior negotiator involved in back-channel discussions at the time. ...
At the time of Ahtisaari’s visit to New York, the death toll from the Syrian conflict was estimated to be about 7,500. The UN believes that toll passed 220,000 at the beginning of this year, and continues to climb. The chaos has led to the rise of Islamic State. Over 11 million Syrians have been forced out of their homes.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/15/west-ignored-russian-offer-...
At the time of Ahtisaari’s visit to New York, the death toll from the Syrian conflict was estimated to be about 7,500. The UN believes that toll passed 220,000 at the beginning of this year, and continues to climb. The chaos has led to the rise of Islamic State. Over 11 million Syrians have been forced out of their homes.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/15/west-ignored-russian-offer-...
6
The hype about Russia aiding its ally Syria is overblown and hypocritical. We and our European allies have been supporting those opposed to the Syrian government for some time. We moved military and intelligence personnel into Jordan and Turkey from nearly the start of the rebellion. We provided Turkey with our most sophisticated anti-aircraft weaponry under the concern that Syrian warplanes would attack. Our allies are going to sell Lebanon millions of dollars worth of arms, paid for by the Gulf Arab states. We are going to increase military aid to Jordan. We even supplied to rebel forces, only to have these arms taken by jihadists. As the consequences of the rebellion expand outward and impact Europe, Russia is at least trying to stabilize the Damascus government as the best hope of defeating the radicals and offering any hope of reaching a settlement of the conflict.
12
Russia wants a foothold in the Middle East, as if Afghanistan wasn't enough for them?
Let them have it.
Let them have it.
9
NigelLives
It seems that the greedy corporations and governments never give up even after making the same mistakes over and over again until mission accomplished.
Do you know or even see the difference between what Russia did and the US did in Afghanistan and now Syria? Too many of us Americans and Russians don't know the facts or care to, being lead by media propaganda that plays on our emotions.
Russia invaded Afghanistan, they are not invading Syria and are in Syria at the President Assad's request Obama and his coalition tried using mercenary terrorists to invade and overthrow Assad and they ended up joining ISIS. With Congressional approval, not Assad's approval or invitation, Obama has US troops on Syrian soil training training so-called insurgents (terrorists. In Syria Obama is in violation of international law, not Putin.
We also invaded Afghanistan after our terrorists puppet government the Taliban reneged on its agreement with the US. We partnered with Pakistan and the Saudis to supply terrorists with food, shelter, arms, education and training to commit acts of terrorism in Russia. We approved Pakistan's WMD that could be used not against India, but Russia if attacked over its support of terrorists activities.
If Bush a Republican can invade Iraq, why shouldn't Obama a Democrat, have his own invasion rather than withdraw or useing terrorists. Unlike, Obama, both Bush and Putin are entering in force.
It seems that the greedy corporations and governments never give up even after making the same mistakes over and over again until mission accomplished.
Do you know or even see the difference between what Russia did and the US did in Afghanistan and now Syria? Too many of us Americans and Russians don't know the facts or care to, being lead by media propaganda that plays on our emotions.
Russia invaded Afghanistan, they are not invading Syria and are in Syria at the President Assad's request Obama and his coalition tried using mercenary terrorists to invade and overthrow Assad and they ended up joining ISIS. With Congressional approval, not Assad's approval or invitation, Obama has US troops on Syrian soil training training so-called insurgents (terrorists. In Syria Obama is in violation of international law, not Putin.
We also invaded Afghanistan after our terrorists puppet government the Taliban reneged on its agreement with the US. We partnered with Pakistan and the Saudis to supply terrorists with food, shelter, arms, education and training to commit acts of terrorism in Russia. We approved Pakistan's WMD that could be used not against India, but Russia if attacked over its support of terrorists activities.
If Bush a Republican can invade Iraq, why shouldn't Obama a Democrat, have his own invasion rather than withdraw or useing terrorists. Unlike, Obama, both Bush and Putin are entering in force.
1
To my mind, our government should cooperate with Russia fighting against ISIS. Our allies on the Middle East and northern Africa have shows their inability to struggle ISIS, Pentagon has shown that training Iraqi forces is useless and aircraft bombings are less effective than planned, but cost too much. Even Al Qaeda declared war against ISIS. High time to fight against world terrorism together. Or spread of democracy and war on international terror is a fiction coined by State Department?
21
You may have hit that nail on the head.
2
Well, if Russian soldiers in Ukraine are only those on vacation, what will those in Syria, who're on duty (even if as "advisors"), do?.. Of course, this buildup of Russian forces in Syria is not a massive one, but if Russia decides to actively help al-Assad, it will be more than enough, especially given the current conditions. How many Syrians will then leave their homeland?..
4
Russia expressed a lot of concern when the US (NATO) intervened in Kosovo and bombed Serbia, a Slavic nation, for 11 weeks. We in the West ignored Russia then and lost our chance to establish a post Cold War partnership. Georgia, Crimea, Ukraine, and now Syria is the result. BTW: are we sure replacing Assad is such a good idea?
11
I think Assad was on Charlie Rose or one of those programs. He seemed more rational than ISIL.
Well maybe after Russia joins the anti-ISIS struggle in the Middle East region ISIS group will be destroyed completely at least in Syria.
1
If the Russians want to help defeat ISIS by supplying wespons to Assad let him. We are fooling ourselves if we think we have any friends there.After a year we have trained 55 opposition forces because of the tough vetting process . I m sure that powerful force will be effective.
Assad is not a threat to the US. ISIS is. In this case the "enemy of my enemy is my friend"
Assad is not a threat to the US. ISIS is. In this case the "enemy of my enemy is my friend"
9
We trained those 54 soldiers at a cost of $41 million, and they were captured within 1 week of graduation. Not a great return on investment.
This just goes to prove that the new tentative USA/Iran relationship is working and moving forward.
Russia/Iran and US are working this together.......regardless of somewhat different public statements. All three countries have a common goal in Syria, they only disagree on the details of how to get there, although it looks like they have now come up with a working approach!
Russia/Iran and US are working this together.......regardless of somewhat different public statements. All three countries have a common goal in Syria, they only disagree on the details of how to get there, although it looks like they have now come up with a working approach!
5
With Saddam's absence, ISIS certainly has set up an axis of evil, which the hastily cobbled-together anti-Assad moderate Syrian opposition (or whatever) has failed to dislodge. One superpower has had its chance. What's wrong with the other giving it a go?
3
Russia is not in Syria to create peace. They want the conflict to continue, so the flow of refugees to Europe will continue. Russia wants to destroy the European Union, and the refugee crisis, if it continues, will destroy the Schengen agreement.
5
No, it is the US and her puppets that created the refugee crises... It helps to recall that Ukraine has sent over 1 million refugees into Russia. I have seen them and worked with them here. Who overthrew a legal president in Kiev? Who toppled Qaddafi and Saddam Hussein? Who is trying to overthrow Assad? It could be the US is destabilizing the entire world simply to justify its already mephistophlean military budget. It could be. One nation stands in Americas way for complete planetary control: Russia. With more coal and diamonds and water and timber than the entire world combined, why wouldnt the IS want Russia? She only became a pariah, fyi, when a puppet no longer was president. See, the US does not mind cretins, so long as the cretinous are her own. Saudi Arabia , Israel, the new bloodier president of rump Ukraine...
1
That's just the kind of sordid plot Putin is likely working on. Another Russia expert writes in the NYT today, "don't trust Putin".
Dictated by its already heavily invested military and strategic interests in Syria and a desire to play central role in any future outcome on Syria, Russia is sure to expand its military footprint there specially when the US and its European/Arab allies have already escalated their military effort in the region. Nonetheless, contrary to the belief that Russia is on a confrontational course with the US and the West Russia is in reality pushing for an internationally backed diplomatic solution to the Syrian crisis, which should be rather welcomed by the West, if it too is really interested in peace in Syria and the Middle East. As to the nature of the solution, once the US, European powers, and regional stakeholders come round the negotiations, it's not difficult to find a mutually agreed ground with or without Assad being in the picture.
17
Welll said Sir!!! :) Namaste!
1
Thanks, Kedar.
I hope I am not a dreamer but I for one see a glimmer of hope in the Mideast. I hope Putin and Iran read these comments and provide a constrictive response. I think the recent agreement with the US and Iran should give pause to Iran to rethink their vision of the Mideast. First, Russia and Iran together with some help from Turkey and coordinated air attacks from the US can destroy ISIS. Iran can help create more stability in Iraq by assisting the Sunni and Shia establish trust and peace in that nation. if Russia and Iran want to keep Assad in power they need to foster a reconciliation with the rebels in Syria and the Assad regime. It would be a great help if Russia and Iran, and the wealthy Mideast countries provided shelter to the Syria refugees until the country is stable and healthy enough for them to return. Iran and Hezbollah and Hamas can totally rethink their all or nothing strategy regarding Israel. If they could accept the legitimacy of tiny Israel, Israel would be happy to come to the table to negotiate a settlement that ensures both Jews and Palestinians can have a safe and auspicious future. Saudi Arabia and Iran do not have to be enemies and can work together to restore peace in the area. All that is needed is the will to create a peaceful resolutions to this needless conflict. There is absolutely no reason why all parties to this conflict cannot have a peaceful resolution and a productive harmonious relationship with each other.
1
The USA has an unbroken record starting in 1953 in Iran and 1954 in Guatemala straight through to today, via Salvador Allende on Sept. 11, 1973 and including Vietnam and Iraq, of "regime change," sowing violence and misery and chaos in every instance to further the interests of the filthy rich.
In Syria the USA refuses to accede to Russia's suggestion of a transition government that includes Assad followed by elections. Why? Why is the USA so hell-bent in every instance of ousting who it doesn't want and installing a lackey of big oil, Wall Street, and various other transnational purveyors of poison who care about no one but themselves?
What is wrong with the USA? What is wrong with the greedy fools who run that place? Out of one side of its mouth comes sanctimony regarding refugees fleeing the catastrophe it has sown in the Middle East, and out of the other is hard-line nonsense about Assad having to go.
The USA should be leaning on its allies, like Saudi Arabia assuming it has any weight left with which to lean, to deescalate violence in Syria and negotiate a political solution. Finger-wagging at Russia for moving to protect its interests in Syria in the absence of anything constructive coming out of Washington is so typical, so much more of the same: create chaos, then blame third parties with whom the USA refuses to negotiate when they have no alternative but to enter the fray.
In Syria the USA refuses to accede to Russia's suggestion of a transition government that includes Assad followed by elections. Why? Why is the USA so hell-bent in every instance of ousting who it doesn't want and installing a lackey of big oil, Wall Street, and various other transnational purveyors of poison who care about no one but themselves?
What is wrong with the USA? What is wrong with the greedy fools who run that place? Out of one side of its mouth comes sanctimony regarding refugees fleeing the catastrophe it has sown in the Middle East, and out of the other is hard-line nonsense about Assad having to go.
The USA should be leaning on its allies, like Saudi Arabia assuming it has any weight left with which to lean, to deescalate violence in Syria and negotiate a political solution. Finger-wagging at Russia for moving to protect its interests in Syria in the absence of anything constructive coming out of Washington is so typical, so much more of the same: create chaos, then blame third parties with whom the USA refuses to negotiate when they have no alternative but to enter the fray.
31
What's wrong with the USA? Well, if you understand anything about the US economy over the past 70 years, you will understand that its economy thrives on war. So, there must constantly be conflict or the threat of such to justify its massive military expenditures. The US shows no sign of wanting "peace" in the MIddle East, but instead, it want to enhance conflict throughout the region so that it will have endless opportunity to intervene militarily in order to further its interests and protect those of its client states like Israel and Saudi Arabia. And Canadians, under Harper, bend over backward to express their support of US policy in the region. We may equally ask: What's wrong with Canada?
3
Beware of the military-industrial complex----Eisenhower
1
There are only two super powers that can provide a veritable deterrence to ISIS, the chief goal that the world might agree upon. Since US is unwilling, let's not make it hard for Russia to achieve it.
16
Putin to Obama : Are with me or against me in the fight to crush ISIS ????
14
Obama's goal is to oust Assad at any cost. We could've crushed ISIS 4 years ago, but that's not what our buddies the Saudis want.
Why Russian hep to the legal government in Syria is bad? We see today millions of refugees from the countries where the US army did intervene during last 15 years. Is it good? What Americans are looking for, what do they want? Why people from the Middle East hate Americans? It is necessary to respond to these questions or we are coming step by step to the Third World War.
10
As a U.S. Marine - I could care less about the Syrian war and Assad. Muslims only understand brute force. ISIS is the threat, and the Russians are doing what we should be doing. We should be aiding the Russians now - not complaining about them. The faster ISIS is wiped out - the better.
25
There is a lot of confusion here. It is clear that Russia is interested to insinuate itself again into the Middle east, just as the old Soviet Union did before. However, this does not mean that they have a coherent strategy. Why defend a regime that is losing, slowly but surely.
The only reason they are still playing around is because the US is obsessed with ISIS, which is surviving mainly because the West is not willing to lose any more lives for failed arab states. this gives Russia an opening for mischief in the Middle East - possible to divert domestic ateention from an increasing failed economy at home.
Examining all these moves does not add up to a long term strategy. Russia cannot continue supporting a failed state in Syria - it is just too expensive. I would not worry too much - we could just make all this a little more expensive by shutting down Irak airspace - if Obama had any spine.
The only reason they are still playing around is because the US is obsessed with ISIS, which is surviving mainly because the West is not willing to lose any more lives for failed arab states. this gives Russia an opening for mischief in the Middle East - possible to divert domestic ateention from an increasing failed economy at home.
Examining all these moves does not add up to a long term strategy. Russia cannot continue supporting a failed state in Syria - it is just too expensive. I would not worry too much - we could just make all this a little more expensive by shutting down Irak airspace - if Obama had any spine.
2
" ... this gives Russia an opening for mischief in the Middle East ..."
Ohh the arrogance of the US.
I take it that the world should be glad that the US intervened in the region and brought Peace, Love and Democracy to all.
After all Obama has been awarded the Peace Nobel Price so what cold possibly go wrong?
Ohh the arrogance of the US.
I take it that the world should be glad that the US intervened in the region and brought Peace, Love and Democracy to all.
After all Obama has been awarded the Peace Nobel Price so what cold possibly go wrong?
1
This country seems disfunctional: It doesn't seem to know what to do in the face of these challenges. (And flying around in airplanes dropping bombs doesn't count as doing anything.) Where are the guts and wisdom... the clever leaders? It's starting to act like some decrepit ancient republic that purposefully elects a buffoon or a cat as emperor.
1
"flying around in airplanes dropping bombs doesn't count as doing anything"
Air support must support something, or it is just aimless killing.
It need not support our own guys on the ground, but it must support someone. See as example the use of US air power to decide the Afghan civil war in favor of the Northern Alliance, before the US occupation of Afghanistan.
Drones are just air support with a distant pilot and a cheap airplane.
Air support must support something, or it is just aimless killing.
It need not support our own guys on the ground, but it must support someone. See as example the use of US air power to decide the Afghan civil war in favor of the Northern Alliance, before the US occupation of Afghanistan.
Drones are just air support with a distant pilot and a cheap airplane.
4
We in the U.S. often claim the security of our nation is at risk in the Middle East even though we are on the other side of the world with an ocean between us. Look at the map, Russia is right there, not that far away, their security actually is at risk if this ISIS thing continues to grow as is all of Europe. Russia has no choice but to get involved, the U.S. only messes things up.
14
It is hard to ignore any Russian involvement in the Middle East but one should not forget that Russian interest may be more in protecting their interests in the port of Latakia,a unique part of their naval strategy.
5
mr. bush thought he could stabilize and pacify iraq.
now mr. putin thinks he can stabilize and pacify former syria?
and both the US and Russia thought that they could stabilize afghanistan.
but the more immediate issue is: what does tehran say about this (or instead, what does tehran _do_ about this)? ally or antagonist?
turkey is almost surely reading the newspapers very carefully today, too.
now mr. putin thinks he can stabilize and pacify former syria?
and both the US and Russia thought that they could stabilize afghanistan.
but the more immediate issue is: what does tehran say about this (or instead, what does tehran _do_ about this)? ally or antagonist?
turkey is almost surely reading the newspapers very carefully today, too.
5
"now mr. putin thinks he can stabilize and pacify former syria?"
We do not know he intends anything like that.
It could be something far less.
For example, he may believe that the US and allies are destabilizing Syria, and that all he needs to do is raise the price of that, much as the US thinks of Ukraine. It need not be correct to be his motive.
Another example, he could be preparing for the fall of Assad. Russia has many interests there, and may only seek to be a necessary part of whatever comes next.
We do not know he intends anything like that.
It could be something far less.
For example, he may believe that the US and allies are destabilizing Syria, and that all he needs to do is raise the price of that, much as the US thinks of Ukraine. It need not be correct to be his motive.
Another example, he could be preparing for the fall of Assad. Russia has many interests there, and may only seek to be a necessary part of whatever comes next.
7
Surely ANYTHING is better than what they've got now in SYria.
Who cares if Iran or Russia increase their influence, it could end the refugees plight and stop this barbaric Islamic state,
Who cares if Iran or Russia increase their influence, it could end the refugees plight and stop this barbaric Islamic state,
2
Mr. Bush actually pretended, that is lied, that Iraq had WMDs and when that lie fell he said, quote "Because he wanted to kill my daddy", was his reason to attack Iraq and topple Saddam.
Whatever Russia is doing or planning to do cannot be any worse than what the US already have done to the region and the world since 2000.
Whatever Russia is doing or planning to do cannot be any worse than what the US already have done to the region and the world since 2000.
4
I feel most bad for the poor, unfortunate Syrian people who are stuck with the devastating consequences of this game being played by different groups vying for power. The most important goal should be to end the bloodshed and allow the Syrian people to live in peace.
14
Hopefully Syria will become Russia's second Vietnam War and Putin will be forced out because of it.
4
Which was Russia's first Vietnam war??
Hi Bopana: this is a reference to the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, back in the 70's and 80's (?) when they were driven out by the Mujahideen armed and financed by the US, Saudi Arabia and so on. A major growth spurt in the history of militant Islam, and a big factor in the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The "concern" expressed by the US is based on nothing more than than the fact that they do not want Russian power or influence at all in a region that the US wants to maintain and expand its own influence. And the power struggle between the US and Russia over that influence, in particular with Russia using Syria as its ally in the region, has been going on for decades. It was Russia using and providing military assistance to Syria, and the US to Israel.
In the 1981 Israeli war in Lebenon the air wars were not so much as between Israeli and Syrian pilots, as they were between the American F16 and the Russian MIG fighter planes. But it goes even farther back to the Russians supporting all of the Arab armies and the US supporting Israel.
So talk of "adding to the chaos in Syria" is plain nonsesne, as was getting Bulgria to block Russian planes from its airspace. From looking at a map its plain that Bulgaria is nowhere near the flight path between Russia and Syria, and was nothing more than the US trying to stick it to Russia showing which countries they have more influence with, and not being able to get Iraq to side with the US can be seen as a serious defeat.
That this is all about power and influence is obvious to anyone familiar with the history of the two countries in the region. And those politicians talking as if they are being sincere when expressing their "concerns" to the Russians are acting like babies, and are idiots for thinking they are being taken seriously.
In the 1981 Israeli war in Lebenon the air wars were not so much as between Israeli and Syrian pilots, as they were between the American F16 and the Russian MIG fighter planes. But it goes even farther back to the Russians supporting all of the Arab armies and the US supporting Israel.
So talk of "adding to the chaos in Syria" is plain nonsesne, as was getting Bulgria to block Russian planes from its airspace. From looking at a map its plain that Bulgaria is nowhere near the flight path between Russia and Syria, and was nothing more than the US trying to stick it to Russia showing which countries they have more influence with, and not being able to get Iraq to side with the US can be seen as a serious defeat.
That this is all about power and influence is obvious to anyone familiar with the history of the two countries in the region. And those politicians talking as if they are being sincere when expressing their "concerns" to the Russians are acting like babies, and are idiots for thinking they are being taken seriously.
9
It is utterly stupid for Putin to pour blood and treasure into the quagmire that is the Syrian Civil war Has anyone in the Kremlin even considered the possibly sight of Muslims being killed by the Russian military - and Russian boys returning in coffins - might well incite civil backlash ? Does anyone in the Kremlin even remember Russian intervention in Afghanistan ?
At the very least, it will stir calls to war in Chechnya and resentment from the Muslim majority states of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
And what does Russia gain for all this? Very little.
If the United States has any interest in this matter, it is to ensure the Russian government does not dissolve from the stress of multiple conflicts in Syria, Georgia and Ukraine
At the very least, it will stir calls to war in Chechnya and resentment from the Muslim majority states of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
And what does Russia gain for all this? Very little.
If the United States has any interest in this matter, it is to ensure the Russian government does not dissolve from the stress of multiple conflicts in Syria, Georgia and Ukraine
2
"And what does Russia gain for all this? Very little. "
WRONG - they maintain their access to the Mediterranean Sea..
WRONG - they maintain their access to the Mediterranean Sea..
The drama unfolding in Middle East every day suggests that World War III is not far away.
I would call upon all right minded people to think of the origin of the entire problem in Middle East. Iraq under Saddam, Libya under Gadhafi, Egypt under Hosni Mubarak were much safer and peaceful countries till external intervention, in the name of introducing democracy and liberating those countries from dictators. Well, the plan succeeded and the "Dictators" were dethroned, Two were killed. Now, the question is, where is democracy that was promised? Are those three countries safer now? Is there any peace? Europe does not have the courage to confront the U.S., because of whose faulty foreign policy, migrants are bombarding Europe.
Therefore, let us not repeat the mistake in Syria. Enough damage has already been done in Syria. If Russia is to jump into the fray, it would be like a time bomb ticking to explode into a major regional conflict, which may engulf much countries.
Let the U.S. and allies stop meddling in Syria. Russia will automatically withdraw. Let peace be brought back to the Middle East. Europe may also send back migrants in the coming years.
I would call upon all right minded people to think of the origin of the entire problem in Middle East. Iraq under Saddam, Libya under Gadhafi, Egypt under Hosni Mubarak were much safer and peaceful countries till external intervention, in the name of introducing democracy and liberating those countries from dictators. Well, the plan succeeded and the "Dictators" were dethroned, Two were killed. Now, the question is, where is democracy that was promised? Are those three countries safer now? Is there any peace? Europe does not have the courage to confront the U.S., because of whose faulty foreign policy, migrants are bombarding Europe.
Therefore, let us not repeat the mistake in Syria. Enough damage has already been done in Syria. If Russia is to jump into the fray, it would be like a time bomb ticking to explode into a major regional conflict, which may engulf much countries.
Let the U.S. and allies stop meddling in Syria. Russia will automatically withdraw. Let peace be brought back to the Middle East. Europe may also send back migrants in the coming years.
5
Peace in the Middle East? Not in the past, (Ottoman rule isn't coming back)
Not now, not in the near future.
Not now, not in the near future.
If the United States does one thing to counter this coming Russian military fiasco in Syria, we should have our collective minds examined. Let Russia sink into the Middle East quicksand. Allow Putin's Syrian adventure to spell HIS doom.
8
Let's not forget that the Russians got their initial toehold when Mr. Obama needed their help to back up his macho "red line" against the use of chemical weapons in Syria. Putin agreed to pressure Assad, even helping with the removal of the weapons. Well, at least Obama didn't say "Mission Accomplished."
USA created ISIS, Putin will destroy it. What is the problem?
5
No one should surprised. Syria is very important to Russia. If Assad falls and a western favored leader is installed.....then there goes their only Naval access to the Mediterranean.
In fact I am more shocked they took this long to act.
In fact I am more shocked they took this long to act.
6
Russia did very well in Afghanistan. I wish them all the luck in Syria.
And...what do we profit by keeping them from entering that quagmire?
Russia is a demographic time bomb, occupied by alcoholics, and run by dictator that manipulates an economy dependent on high oil prices. Please don't tell me we are afraid they are going to conquer the world.
And...what do we profit by keeping them from entering that quagmire?
Russia is a demographic time bomb, occupied by alcoholics, and run by dictator that manipulates an economy dependent on high oil prices. Please don't tell me we are afraid they are going to conquer the world.
11
Let Putin bankrupt Russia with his adventures.
Let us worry about feeding the displaced people.
Unless of course we want them all here. The migration took off when rations were cut. Did we expect them to starve quietly?
Let us worry about feeding the displaced people.
Unless of course we want them all here. The migration took off when rations were cut. Did we expect them to starve quietly?
2
Greater involvement in this endless civil war is its own punishment. If they think they can bring order to Syria, more power to them, but I'll believe it when I see it. It should be fun watching them throw resources down this sinkhole instead of us, for a change.
8
Everyone is living in the day to day events and missing the strategy and benefits here.
With Russia now getting a foothold where it already had one, our mutual enemies will see a growing coalition threat whether it exists or not. This may psychologically affect the extremists. They may feel imminent defeat, and they may also redirect their focus from us to Russia. It's no secret that Russia has had to endure terrorism as well as us and the ultimate terrorists that could exist are now ISIL. Now both America and Russia are after ISIL. This should take the heat off us a bit so don't be yelling at your Television images of giant Russian planes. That video may as well be a million troops to our enemies minds.
Let the extremists hate Russia instead of us. C'mon Generals, think.
With Russia now getting a foothold where it already had one, our mutual enemies will see a growing coalition threat whether it exists or not. This may psychologically affect the extremists. They may feel imminent defeat, and they may also redirect their focus from us to Russia. It's no secret that Russia has had to endure terrorism as well as us and the ultimate terrorists that could exist are now ISIL. Now both America and Russia are after ISIL. This should take the heat off us a bit so don't be yelling at your Television images of giant Russian planes. That video may as well be a million troops to our enemies minds.
Let the extremists hate Russia instead of us. C'mon Generals, think.
8
Let the Russians get themselves entangled in Syria, just as they inadvisedly got involved in Afghanistan. That whole area is a mess and a quagmire for any country that allows itself to become too invested in it. Russians occupying Syria will be just like Americans occupying Iraq, an endless task that has no good outcome. Our president has wisely declined to get involved on the ground there, and we should continue his policies. If the Russians want to impoverish themselves by occupying Syria, so much the better for us.
7
So, I finish reading this article about the oncoming of Armageddon and right next to it on the Times' front page is an article about how the U.S. Navy has agreed to cut back on tests so whales don't get a headache. A country with priorities like this deserves what is coming. And the well-being of whales and dolphins won't matter much..
1
Is it not better to have Russia controlling Syria, rather than Iran, Isil or Hezbollah?
6
"Is it not better to have Russia controlling Syria, rather than Iran, Isil or Hezbollah?"
Russia cannot control the uncontrollable. It will end worse than their adventure into Afghanistan in the 80's. Do nothing to stop them.
Russia cannot control the uncontrollable. It will end worse than their adventure into Afghanistan in the 80's. Do nothing to stop them.
4
Why is Obama keeping such a low profile on the refugee crisis and Syria. I'm sure there are efforts by his administration to mitigate the refugee crisis, but not confronting Putin only makes the situation worse. Having said that the scenario is even scarier with a Trump, Sanders or even Hillary in the White House. This is a moment in U.S. history where we urgently need a qualified person in charge to deal with Putin, Assad, etc. He's a long shot but Jim Webb seems to have the knowledge and experience. I'd feel safer with him.
1
Perhaps someone should explain just why the United States is authorized to insert forces anywhere it wishes but the Russians are not supposed to go beyond their borders.
24
Only Americans feel that way. The rest of the world still remembers the Iraq fiasco.
2
The Syrian conflict goes on without end in sight.
The Obama administration wages war against Bashar Al Assad because he is Israel's enemy. Russia is Assad's main ally and supports him military. The war has reached a stalemate.
Meanwhile, millions of Syrian became destituted war refugees seeking asylum in Europe, particularly Germany. The war on terror continues its destruction march in the Middle East.
The Obama administration wages war against Bashar Al Assad because he is Israel's enemy. Russia is Assad's main ally and supports him military. The war has reached a stalemate.
Meanwhile, millions of Syrian became destituted war refugees seeking asylum in Europe, particularly Germany. The war on terror continues its destruction march in the Middle East.
1
Russia and China are going to do to the USA, what the muslim countries are doing to Israel thru the Palestinians.
They are going to use Syrai and Iran against the United States, while "keeping their hands clean", just like Hamas and Hezbolah use the Palestinians to get at Israel.
Like my mom always says, "mark my words..."
They are going to use Syrai and Iran against the United States, while "keeping their hands clean", just like Hamas and Hezbolah use the Palestinians to get at Israel.
Like my mom always says, "mark my words..."
Putin is going to learn the hard way, there are no good sides to take in the ME. Just like in Afghanistan, his military will get themselves in trouble, and lose a lot of personnel and equipment, and eventually pull out licking their wounds.
3
In Afghanistan it was USA arming mujaheddins to fight Russians. That's how Taliban was born. So unless you plan on arming ISIS, Russians should be able to get rid of the Islamic state.
1
The Iraqi PM clearly wants Russia to fight ISIS as a 3rd major power against ISIS. What if the West allowed Iraq to descend into even worse chaos? Clearly, the majorit of Iraq is Shiite and that would carve out, allied with Iran. Sunni Iraq and Eastern Syria would become ISIS, landlocked. And, fighting and killing would continue indefinitely. Would they decimate each other? Who is supplying ISIS its arms? China? NKorea? By what routes?
The whole bloodly mess over there has zero chance of calming down any time soon and the worry, realistically, is that whatever wildfire gets gonig over there won't be containable.
The whole bloodly mess over there has zero chance of calming down any time soon and the worry, realistically, is that whatever wildfire gets gonig over there won't be containable.
1
The western intervention in Syria post Arab spring in arming the rebels trying to topple Assad has resulted in devastation of Syria, destruction of heritage sites, epic mass exodus out of Syria, 1000s of innocent civilians dead and/or injured in the cradle of civilization which became a crucible of beheadings, barbarism, possible use of chemical weapons, anarchy, bombardment, gunfire, rocket launching, artillery fire etc. Any external intervention to restore some order and some civility where by the migration out of Syria is stemmed and somewhat of a normalcy returns and the barbaric elements are reigned in should be a welcome development. Any half baked attempts will not accomplish the goal of restoring Syria to the pre-Arab spring days of a semblance of stability and a functional nation. Let Russia take care of its satellite state with all its fire power after the western interference has resulted in a nation that is torn to pieces and half of its terrorized population has migrated helter skelter and the other half is being brutalized. If the west did not want Russia to intervene, they should have envisioned the catastrophe in Syria and foreseen the consequences of not doing their due diligence and backing and arming the wrong barbarians. The lesser of the 2 evils is the Assad regime. The Assads have ruled Syria for decades and even joined the daddy Bush's coalition that evicted Saddam from Kuwait. The way I see what the Russians are doing is cleaning up the bloody mess.
8
Wherever you create a power vacuum, the bad guys will move in, in this case the Russian/Iranian axis. If you look at the map you see how much territory has been given away or is now up for grabs because we refused to hold Iraq. It's reminiscent of the Cold War when the USSR and the US competed for influence in these regions. The difference is that now the US has abandoned the field to Russia and Iran.
Pathetic.
Pathetic.
It's not a field we are abandoning, it's a swamp. It's their neighborhood, let them deal with it.
1
Let's get this clear, our mistake was going in there in the first place. There was nothing to gain but a ton to lose. This result is directly correlated to Bush's correct comment: "Mission Accomplished". It's just that the mission turned out to be desabilizing the whole region, causing civil war, the rise of ISIS and on the other side, Iran.
Deal with it.
Deal with it.
1
It seems clear now that the neo cons want to defeat Russia in Syria at all costs. This latest protracted confrontation in the Middle East can be understood as a proxy war of the US and NATO against Putin’s resurgent Russia. But Syria is just one zone of engagement in a much wider war against Russia that has been taking place since Putin started to stand up to the West. The same confrontation also occurs in Ukraine and formerly in Georgia, where Russia successfully halted, albeit temporarily, the Western advance. This amounts to a new Cold War or an undeclared war where East and West are once more in global confrontation - for the ultimate benefit of military industrial plutocrats.
ISIS is nothing else but CIA's organized and led militia.
ISIS is nothing else but CIA's organized and led militia.
5
What's in it for Russia? It's not like them to be altruistic, even to a long time ally like Syria. It's not resources or minerals or oil? It's got to be the expansion of their existing military positions. Any other ideas?
2
Russia is willing to commit major resources to crush ISIS. With a large and restive Muslim minority, they would rather do the "necessary" killing in Syria as opposed to at home.
Of course, they'll also do it at home if necessary (cue Chechen wars).
Not saying I approve or don't morally. But the Russians act in what they see to be their national interests, without worrying much about the body count.
Of course, they'll also do it at home if necessary (cue Chechen wars).
Not saying I approve or don't morally. But the Russians act in what they see to be their national interests, without worrying much about the body count.
1
Oh boo hoo! Someone won't do what the U.S. wants them to.
10
The nerve of those Russians!
If you despise your country this much, why not join Cousin Vladdy?
1
This isn't a case of the U.S. having Russia do what the US wants. Its doing what is morally right. The US could easily have sided with Assad and defeated IS however it would be unconscionable to side with someone who has been indicted by the UN for war crimes against his own people.
World war III coming at you. there wont be a Russia,there wont be a USA nor Israel nor Middle East. There will be mothing left
Here's your choice: Assad propped up by Russia; or ISIS.
Pick your poison.
Pick your poison.
6
Russia. Because they drove out the Bolsheviks in '91.
Another Afghanistan? Then USA will arm rebels to dislodge Russia.....in the process over the period of time another Taliban......another Osama......will get out of US grip and another 9/11. Mike Nichols made "Charlie Wilson's War." What will be the next name.......at what time? President Regan indirectly contributed for creation of Taliban & Osama bin Laden. Who will be the future US
president funding rebel Syrians to dislodge Russians? Hollywood need script.
president funding rebel Syrians to dislodge Russians? Hollywood need script.
So the Russians go to Syria and kill off ISL. Sounds great. What's the problem, the Saudi's don't want that?
10
What have we done? The US has given over $4 billion in aid to Syrian refugee aid. What we sacrificed in Iraq is priceless so their behavior is outrageous. Our government is milquetoast if that goes unanswered. Not to mentioned the $2 billion in US artillery and equipment ISIS took when the Iraqi military ran away.
Russian policy in the Middle East is to sell as many weapons as possible and to get a foothold wherever they can. Their weapons sales are mainly to Syria and their foothold is mainly in Syria. Russia has no billion dollar trade partners in the Middle East. On the whole, it is a blip on the screen of the region, on the outside looking in. By contrast, the U.S. is over-involved militarily and seeking to cut back. Its economic relations are substantial as is its cultural influence. Everyone in the Middle East has an opinion on the US. Russia is on the edge of their consciousness. To compare Russian policies with those of the US to compare the heavyweight boxing champion with someone aspiring to be a sparring partner. The US and Russia cannot be measured by the same standards because they are a fly on the wall and we are a mover and shaker.
Obama's "objections" are just about as dramatic and forceful as his legendary "red" lines" drawn for the amusement of the entire world.
Russia is inserting marines, air and naval forces, tanks, fighter-bombers, artillery and other heavy military equipment. Right now everything is pointed at the forces that oppose Assad; The rebels and ISIS. When that is over which way will Russia point its guns?
What happens when Assad decides that the Golan Heights need to be retaken. Will Russian troops, air and naval forces support Assad as his forces target the Israelis on the Golan? What if they attack Lebanon or Jordan?
The scenario sounds improbable but a year ago it seemed improbable that ISIS would be considered as formidable as it is today. It would also have seemed improbable if anyone suggested that Russia would establish an air base in Syria while the United States protested in futility.
Mr. Obama has created power vacuum and an opportunity for Russia. Russia is taking advantage and filling the vacuum.
When will Mr. Obama stand fast? When the Russians support Assad's attack on Israel it will be too late to prevent a major conflict. We're courting disaster.
What happens when Assad decides that the Golan Heights need to be retaken. Will Russian troops, air and naval forces support Assad as his forces target the Israelis on the Golan? What if they attack Lebanon or Jordan?
The scenario sounds improbable but a year ago it seemed improbable that ISIS would be considered as formidable as it is today. It would also have seemed improbable if anyone suggested that Russia would establish an air base in Syria while the United States protested in futility.
Mr. Obama has created power vacuum and an opportunity for Russia. Russia is taking advantage and filling the vacuum.
When will Mr. Obama stand fast? When the Russians support Assad's attack on Israel it will be too late to prevent a major conflict. We're courting disaster.
2
Your imaginary Assad's attack on Israel may be actually a great favor to hear working American middle class.
Btw, Israel bombed Syria at leas 6 times within the last 12 months and was essentially an air support for ISIS killers and terrorists in Syria.
Btw, Israel bombed Syria at leas 6 times within the last 12 months and was essentially an air support for ISIS killers and terrorists in Syria.
2
"When the Russians support Assad's attack on Israel"
Er, the Russian government and the Israeli government have very good relations.
There is zero likelihood that Russia would support a Syrian attack on Israel. In any case the Syrian government has been under siege from proxies for the USA government for 5 years now, the country has been devastated by the mercenaries funded by Saudi Arabia and equipped indirectly and directly by the USA military. It is in no position whatsoever to launch a military attack on any country, least of all on a military superpower such as Israel.
Where do people like Jay come up with such nonsense?
Er, the Russian government and the Israeli government have very good relations.
There is zero likelihood that Russia would support a Syrian attack on Israel. In any case the Syrian government has been under siege from proxies for the USA government for 5 years now, the country has been devastated by the mercenaries funded by Saudi Arabia and equipped indirectly and directly by the USA military. It is in no position whatsoever to launch a military attack on any country, least of all on a military superpower such as Israel.
Where do people like Jay come up with such nonsense?
President Obama has effectively surrendered. By the time he leaves office, Russia and Iran will be in firm control of the Middle East, and his legacy deal with Iran will have rotted away.
9
Who should be in charge in the Middle East? The U.S. from 6,000 miles away?
1
I don't blame Russia one bit for what they are doing in Syria and what America should have done from the beginning instead of this neocon policy. We should have backed Assad to take out ISIS from the beginning. We need to get the MIC out of our govt and completely gone because we have destroyed the whole ME because of our stupidity.
4
Russian policy in the Middle East is to sell as many weapons as possible and to get a foothold wherever they can. Their weapons sales are mainly to Syria and their foothold is mainly in Syria. Russia has no billion dollar trade partners in the Middle East. On the whole, it is a blip on the screen of the region, on the outside looking in. By contrast, the U.S. is over-involved militarily and seeking to cut back. Its economic relations are substantial as is its cultural influence. Everyone in the Middle East has an opinion on the US. Russia is on the edge of their consciousness. To compare Russian policies with those of the US to compare the heavyweight boxing champion with someone aspiring to be a sparring partner. The US and Russia cannot be measured by the same standards because they are a fly on the wall and we are a mover and shaker.
What have we done? The US has given over $4 billion in aid to Syrian refugee aid. What we sacrificed in Iraq is priceless so their behavior is outrageous. Our government is milquetoast if that goes unanswered. Not to mentioned the $2 billion in US artillery and equipment ISIS took when the Iraqi military ran away.
Are you suggesting that the Iraqis invited USA to take care of Saddam?
What was done was the invasion of Iraq on a false premise that cost thousands of lives and a dysfunctional country. Trust me, the Iraqis are in no hurry to forget about how USA has destroyed their country.
What was done was the invasion of Iraq on a false premise that cost thousands of lives and a dysfunctional country. Trust me, the Iraqis are in no hurry to forget about how USA has destroyed their country.
Obama's "objections" are just about as dramatic and forceful as his legendary "red" lines" drawn for the amusement of the entire world.
3
Many Americans went for instance to fight Franco in Spain, without our government funding them. You are free to go to Syria.
US is meddling with too many other people's problem... Russia is definitely doing the right thing helping Syria with its problem.. Better ask yourself what have you done... !
1
US is meddling with too many other people's problem... Russia is definitely doing the right thing helping Syria with its problem.. Better ask yourself what have you done... !
6
The Russians are a fly on the wall in the Middle East. Russian policy is to try to make a difference about something, Anything. The US's policy is to exercise its substantial influence responsibly. Nobody much cares what the Russians are doing. Being bad at exerting influence is not a successful foreign policy.
If Obama had stood with the Syrian people in ousting Assad, Iran would be a weaker country today and Putin would have suffered a devastating blow. Instead ISIS filled in the power vacuum that was created due to our inaction and now we have this refugee crisis. Inaction has consequences and Obama's lack of using force in the region has resulted in the strengthening of Russia and Iran and a weakening of America.
1
If Obama had stood with the Syrian people in ousting Assad, Iran would be a weaker country today and Putin would have suffered a devastating blow. Instead ISIS filled in the power vacuum that was created due to our inaction and now we have this refugee crisis. Inaction has consequences and Obama's lack of using force in the region has resulted in the strengthening of Russia and Iran and a weakening of America.
2
How many Syrian refugees want to go to Russia? How many will Russia accept?
How many Syrian refugees want to go to Russia? How many will Russia accept?
2
Very good point - refugee's wanting to go to Russia - free speech, democracy, rule of law, plenty of opportunity, oh forgot, dress up military in uniforms with no I nsignia, invade neighbours, shoot down civilian passenger planes, and kill off opposition members wether overseas in London or in downtown Moscow. Overall Great place to resettle a family and start a new life. Look at those lines at the Russian borders. Obama wake up and lead before it is too late.
What arrogance the United States has. What hubris. We have no right to tell anyone who can and can't use their air space. If the Russians want to put boots on the ground against Al Qaeda and ISIS, let them. They will have the same result as they had in Afghanistan when our "buddy" and "ally" OBL was fighting them. After all, it's Greece's or Iran's air space, not ours. After all, the Russians have much more at stake with the Caucasus then we have. They are in the neighborhood, we are not. How arrogant and stupid can we be? It gets worse.
1
What arrogance the United States has. What hubris. We have no right to tell anyone who can and can't use their air space. If the Russians want to put boots on the ground against Al Qaeda and ISIS, let them. They will have the same result as they had in Afghanistan when our "buddy" and "ally" OBL was fighting them. After all, it's Greece's or Iran's air space, not ours. After all, the Russians have much more at stake with the Caucasus then we have. They are in the neighborhood, we are not. How arrogant and stupid can we be? It gets worse.
5
I guess we could send arms to ISIS, maybe some shoulder fired anti aircraft missiles. Oh well......
I guess we could send arms to ISIS, maybe some shoulder fired anti aircraft missiles. Oh well......
1
Obama has already given ISIS enough weaponry
1
Iran and Iraq are sovereign states. If they want to give Russia permission to fly over their territory it is none of America's business.
Why does the U.S. have the right to over throw Assad but Russia not have the right to keep him in power? If the U.S. and Saudi Arabia would stop using jihadists to exact regime change there would be no refugee crisis and no contretemps over Russia planes in Iranian and Iraqi air space.
Why does the U.S. have the right to over throw Assad but Russia not have the right to keep him in power? If the U.S. and Saudi Arabia would stop using jihadists to exact regime change there would be no refugee crisis and no contretemps over Russia planes in Iranian and Iraqi air space.
3
Iran and Iraq are sovereign states. If they want to give Russia permission to fly over their territory it is none of America's business.
Why does the U.S. have the right to over throw Assad but Russia not have the right to keep him in power? If the U.S. and Saudi Arabia would stop using jihadists to exact regime change there would be no refugee crisis and no contretemps over Russia planes in Iranian and Iraqi air space.
Why does the U.S. have the right to over throw Assad but Russia not have the right to keep him in power? If the U.S. and Saudi Arabia would stop using jihadists to exact regime change there would be no refugee crisis and no contretemps over Russia planes in Iranian and Iraqi air space.
6
Note to Obama: You kick Russia around and expect it to cooperate in any way with the US? Children know better.
3
Note to Obama: You kick Russia around and expect it to cooperate in any way with the US? Children know better.
8
It seems to me that Russia is on the right side of this conflict, and Obama is siding with the enemy yet again. Every move Obama has made in the middle east has strengthened ISIS, and has created the refugee crisis that Europe is now experiencing. Either Obama is incredibly incompetent or he wants what is happening to happen.
3
It seems to me that Russia is on the right side of this conflict, and Obama is siding with the enemy yet again. Every move Obama has made in the middle east has strengthened ISIS, and has created the refugee crisis that Europe is now experiencing. Either Obama is incredibly incompetent or he wants what is happening to happen.
9
Watching too much Fox News again?
1
At this point, perhaps the U.S. should stop trying to get rid of Assad in Syria and concentrate instead on stopping ISIS. Our success at engineering "Arab Springs" or Jeffersonian democracies in the Middle East seem, at the very best, to have been complete flops (witness Iraq, Egypt, Libya, etc.).
2
At this point, perhaps the U.S. should stop trying to get rid of Assad in Syria and concentrate instead on stopping ISIS. Our success at engineering "Arab Springs" or Jeffersonian democracies in the Middle East seem, at the very best, to have been complete flops (witness Iraq, Egypt, Libya, etc.).
6
Over and over again, in these comments, I read that the Russians keep crossing Obama's red lines, but the real question is, do we want a direct confrontation with a nuclear armed Russia? Many people are shooting off their mouths about how weak the Obama administration has been in regards to Russia, but think about what it would take to go on the offensive, and more important, could we could take back what Russia could give. The Russian people survived Stalin, nothing in the west came close to that rein death and destruction, so mentally the Russian people are much better prepared for a confrontation than NATO. So is the west really ready to stand up to Putin's Russia? If you need more answers, just ask the Germans. They will tell you what fighting Russia is really like. It is time to do the prudent thing. Partner with the Russians and their allies and bring order back to the region. We may not like it, but it is the best option at this time. With all this talk of aggression and war, someone is bound to make a mistake. Many conflicts in the past have started by a mistake or misunderstanding, but the repercussions of a conflict between two nuclear armed states may be more than anybody could survive......
3
Over and over again, in these comments, I read that the Russians keep crossing Obama's red lines, but the real question is, do we want a direct confrontation with a nuclear armed Russia? Many people are shooting off their mouths about how weak the Obama administration has been in regards to Russia, but think about what it would take to go on the offensive, and more important, could we could take back what Russia could give. The Russian people survived Stalin, nothing in the west came close to that rein death and destruction, so mentally the Russian people are much better prepared for a confrontation than NATO. So is the west really ready to stand up to Putin's Russia? If you need more answers, just ask the Germans. They will tell you what fighting Russia is really like. It is time to do the prudent thing. Partner with the Russians and their allies and bring order back to the region. We may not like it, but it is the best option at this time. With all this talk of aggression and war, someone is bound to make a mistake. Many conflicts in the past have started by a mistake or misunderstanding, but the repercussions of a conflict between two nuclear armed states may be more than anybody could survive......
10
This is the conundrum which gets bigger and bigger in geometric progression when every country is not treated equally and fairly. Playing favorites and underhand politics to quench our undying thirst for oil, enriching our 1% and conglomerates, toppling elected regimes, installing cruel despotic puppets, overlooking genocides, human rights violations, unreasonable demands of a country to get relief from sanctions, allowing one country to have superior nuclear capability attained clandestinely, not subject to inspections or any Treaty. Well, something has to give because an imbalance cannot go on indefinitely. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Russia is no ally of ours nor are they going to listen to our dictates. I am no apologist for Russia but this was inevitable. We cannot preach what we don't practice. Now I waiting for the barrage of comments denouncing mine.
4
This is the conundrum which gets bigger and bigger in geometric progression when every country is not treated equally and fairly. Playing favorites and underhand politics to quench our undying thirst for oil, enriching our 1% and conglomerates, toppling elected regimes, installing cruel despotic puppets, overlooking genocides, human rights violations, unreasonable demands of a country to get relief from sanctions, allowing one country to have superior nuclear capability attained clandestinely, not subject to inspections or any Treaty. Well, something has to give because an imbalance cannot go on indefinitely. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Russia is no ally of ours nor are they going to listen to our dictates. I am no apologist for Russia but this was inevitable. We cannot preach what we don't practice. Now I waiting for the barrage of comments denouncing mine.
8
But Obama assured us that the entire world would love Obama so much that terrorism would end and all hostility towards America would evaporate!! Great job Obama!
5
But Obama assured us that the entire world would love Obama so much that terrorism would end and all hostility towards America would evaporate!! Great job Obama!
8
Yep, blame Obama for all the world's ills.
1
Washington has twice formally warned Russia against these flights. Clearly, the warnings make no difference whatsoever to Russia; they are senseless and accomplish nothing other than to humiliate the U.S. Moscow announced this morning that it is will build a major military base in Syria. Does Washington intend to try to stop that?
4
Washington has twice formally warned Russia against these flights. Clearly, the warnings make no difference whatsoever to Russia; they are senseless and accomplish nothing other than to humiliate the U.S. Moscow announced this morning that it is will build a major military base in Syria. Does Washington intend to try to stop that?
5
After reading these comments one thing is clear: If the government was to reinstitute the draft to bolster the number of soldiers needed to fight in foreign conflicts, then you would see protests that would make those of the Vietnam era seem like the ones of the suffragettes.
3
Sow the wind, read the whirlwind. After our misadventures in the Middle East, who are we to tell Putin anything? One of these days we are going to find out that John McCain and Victoria Nuland, after making a stop with the fascists in Ukraine, moved on to Syria. I am starting to suspect this is all over a pipeline that Assad did not want and his chumminess with Putin. Can this get any more high school? According to the Times today, 200,000 people killed, homes destroyed, jobs gone, Europe having to fix our mess by taking in refugees, and the neocon dead enders just keep on trucking. What I find particularly appalling is the abuse being heaped on Ms Merkel, who doesn't deserve it. We need to pony up a big chunk of money to help her and the others in Europe who are taking in the survivors of this mess.
3
Most commentators are failing to recognize one very significant fact. If Russia succeeds, for the first time in its long history, in establishing a strong viable military base in the eastern Mediterranean it would have succeeded in establishing its hegemony over Western Europe and the Middle East resources.
We have to recognize this fact and therefore we cannot escape from realizing that U.S. national interest is now at stake.
The ruling government in Syria does not care that such a development would eventually, create havoc in geopolitics. We in the U.S. must recognize the serious nature of what is taking place in Syria and our President must respond accordingly. We must not be distracted by allegations that Russia and the government in Syria are fighting ISIS. No power is helping the Assad regime more than the mayhem that ISIS is causing in the country.
President Obama must be strong. President Putin is reinforcing Russian bases in Syria. No one should misread the Russian aim; it is the Mediterranean Sea.
In order to get a better insight into the historical “Warm Waters” concept in Russian policies, I will include two references that would shed light on Russian aims in Syria and why President Obama cannot sit idly by.
1.Four Hundred Years of Russian Foreign Policy
https://www.marxists.org/archive/bienstock/1939/russia-policy.htm
2. The Russian Quest for Warm Water Ports
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/warm-water-port.htm
We have to recognize this fact and therefore we cannot escape from realizing that U.S. national interest is now at stake.
The ruling government in Syria does not care that such a development would eventually, create havoc in geopolitics. We in the U.S. must recognize the serious nature of what is taking place in Syria and our President must respond accordingly. We must not be distracted by allegations that Russia and the government in Syria are fighting ISIS. No power is helping the Assad regime more than the mayhem that ISIS is causing in the country.
President Obama must be strong. President Putin is reinforcing Russian bases in Syria. No one should misread the Russian aim; it is the Mediterranean Sea.
In order to get a better insight into the historical “Warm Waters” concept in Russian policies, I will include two references that would shed light on Russian aims in Syria and why President Obama cannot sit idly by.
1.Four Hundred Years of Russian Foreign Policy
https://www.marxists.org/archive/bienstock/1939/russia-policy.htm
2. The Russian Quest for Warm Water Ports
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/warm-water-port.htm
Well if global climate changes continues Russia will have all of Siberia's thousands of miles of norther coastline as warm water ports.
2
Just saying, If it were the other way around, --America flying in contested airspace, we would be mourning Americans. Just saying...
After reading these comments one thing is clear: If the government was to reinstitute the draft to bolster the number of soldiers needed to fight in foreign conflicts, then you would see protests that would make those of the Vietnam era seem like the ones of the suffragettes.
4
Sow the wind, read the whirlwind. After our misadventures in the Middle East, who are we to tell Putin anything? One of these days we are going to find out that John McCain and Victoria Nuland, after making a stop with the fascists in Ukraine, moved on to Syria. I am starting to suspect this is all over a pipeline that Assad did not want and his chumminess with Putin. Can this get any more high school? According to the Times today, 200,000 people killed, homes destroyed, jobs gone, Europe having to fix our mess by taking in refugees, and the neocon dead enders just keep on trucking. What I find particularly appalling is the abuse being heaped on Ms Merkel, who doesn't deserve it. We need to pony up a big chunk of money to help her and the others in Europe who are taking in the survivors of this mess.
6
Most commentators are failing to recognize one very significant fact. If Russia succeeds, for the first time in its long history, in establishing a strong viable military base in the eastern Mediterranean it would have succeeded in establishing its hegemony over Western Europe and the Middle East resources.
We have to recognize this fact and therefore we cannot escape from realizing that U.S. national interest is now at stake.
The ruling government in Syria does not care that such a development would eventually, create havoc in geopolitics. We in the U.S. must recognize the serious nature of what is taking place in Syria and our President must respond accordingly. We must not be distracted by allegations that Russia and the government in Syria are fighting ISIS. No power is helping the Assad regime more than the mayhem that ISIS is causing in the country.
President Obama must be strong. President Putin is reinforcing Russian bases in Syria. No one should misread the Russian aim; it is the Mediterranean Sea.
In order to get a better insight into the historical “Warm Waters” concept in Russian policies, I will include two references that would shed light on Russian aims in Syria and why President Obama cannot sit idly by.
1.Four Hundred Years of Russian Foreign Policy
https://www.marxists.org/archive/bienstock/1939/russia-policy.htm
2. The Russian Quest for Warm Water Ports
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/warm-water-port.htm
We have to recognize this fact and therefore we cannot escape from realizing that U.S. national interest is now at stake.
The ruling government in Syria does not care that such a development would eventually, create havoc in geopolitics. We in the U.S. must recognize the serious nature of what is taking place in Syria and our President must respond accordingly. We must not be distracted by allegations that Russia and the government in Syria are fighting ISIS. No power is helping the Assad regime more than the mayhem that ISIS is causing in the country.
President Obama must be strong. President Putin is reinforcing Russian bases in Syria. No one should misread the Russian aim; it is the Mediterranean Sea.
In order to get a better insight into the historical “Warm Waters” concept in Russian policies, I will include two references that would shed light on Russian aims in Syria and why President Obama cannot sit idly by.
1.Four Hundred Years of Russian Foreign Policy
https://www.marxists.org/archive/bienstock/1939/russia-policy.htm
2. The Russian Quest for Warm Water Ports
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/warm-water-port.htm
Well if global climate changes continues Russia will have all of Siberia's thousands of miles of norther coastline as warm water ports.
5
Russia already has a naval port in Syria with soldiers, hate to break it to you.
2
Just saying, If it were the other way around, --America flying in contested airspace, we would be mourning Americans. Just saying...
We need to do the right thing and apologize to Russia for reporting on this and and get out of their way.
1
We need to do the right thing and apologize to Russia for reporting on this and and get out of their way.
3
Of course we want ISIL defeated, but our policy makers are not willing anyone else take credit for it, especially Russia or Iran, yet we are not willing to commit any resources to the task either.
The Russian proverb "собака на сени", from Spanish Lope de Vega’s "El Perro del Hortelano" or “The Dog in the Manger” describes us aptly.
The Russian proverb "собака на сени", from Spanish Lope de Vega’s "El Perro del Hortelano" or “The Dog in the Manger” describes us aptly.
2
Of course we want ISIL defeated, but our policy makers are not willing anyone else take credit for it, especially Russia or Iran, yet we are not willing to commit any resources to the task either.
The Russian proverb "собака на сени", from Spanish Lope de Vega’s "El Perro del Hortelano" or “The Dog in the Manger” describes us aptly.
The Russian proverb "собака на сени", from Spanish Lope de Vega’s "El Perro del Hortelano" or “The Dog in the Manger” describes us aptly.
3
This episode demonstrates that the US concerns more about petty power politics than having an effective, coalition building, and grand strategy in defeating ISIS. In fact, the US policy in dealing with Syria and ISIS is confusing, incoherent and amateurish.
6
It's not confusing if you understand the obama regime's motivation. their goal is all talk and no action. They mouth their pronouncements for domestic consumption only. The obama regime is Big Brother. Hate is love, war is peace, and lies are truth.
2
This episode demonstrates that the US concerns more about petty power politics than having an effective, coalition building, and grand strategy in defeating ISIS. In fact, the US policy in dealing with Syria and ISIS is confusing, incoherent and amateurish.
6
It's not confusing if you understand the obama regime's motivation. their goal is all talk and no action. They mouth their pronouncements for domestic consumption only. The obama regime is Big Brother. Hate is love, war is peace, and lies are truth.
2
My opinion is, let Russia take some ownership of this mess. This is not something we American taxpayers want to let our Pentagon and war hawk Congress exclusively own and exploit for ever more expensive things that go boom, medals, shoulder boards, and McCain et al sound bites. It is the biggest humanitarian disaster since WW2, brought forth by Bush, Cheney and extended by Obama and all the disasterous bureaucrats. There seem to be no mirrors in Washington, D.C.
7
My opinion is, let Russia take some ownership of this mess. This is not something we American taxpayers want to let our Pentagon and war hawk Congress exclusively own and exploit for ever more expensive things that go boom, medals, shoulder boards, and McCain et al sound bites. It is the biggest humanitarian disaster since WW2, brought forth by Bush, Cheney and extended by Obama and all the disasterous bureaucrats. There seem to be no mirrors in Washington, D.C.
9
Why be enemies with the Russians? The problem is us and our perverse relationship to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States. Everyone knows that world-wide jihad - in all its viciousness - is sponsored and funded by Saudi Arabia, our friends. We should be making contingencies to help the Russian effort, like plans to close the straight of Hormuz and grab all Gulf State assets worldwide.
4
Do you really believe Russia wants to be our friend? Saudi Arabia is not sponsoring terrorism. They're paying off terrorists to keep them out of their Country. What it shows is how little trust nations have in America's willingness to protect our allies. All one has to do is look how the obama regime stabbed Israel, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Iraq, and Afghanistan in the back. No one trust us anymore and are trying to ingratiate themselves with the strong horses.
Why be enemies with the Russians? The problem is us and our perverse relationship to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States. Everyone knows that world-wide jihad - in all its viciousness - is sponsored and funded by Saudi Arabia, our friends. We should be making contingencies to help the Russian effort, like plans to close the straight of Hormuz and grab all Gulf State assets worldwide.
6
Do you really believe Russia wants to be our friend? Saudi Arabia is not sponsoring terrorism. They're paying off terrorists to keep them out of their Country. What it shows is how little trust nations have in America's willingness to protect our allies. All one has to do is look how the obama regime stabbed Israel, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Iraq, and Afghanistan in the back. No one trust us anymore and are trying to ingratiate themselves with the strong horses.
Putin knows Obama is weak-kneed and will do nothing to stop the Russian build up and support of the Assad regime.The Russians aren't interested in fighting ISIS, they're interested in propping up their Syrian partner. The Assad regime has used chemical weapons which Obama said was a RED line. He did nothing. Putin knows that Obama is afraid of hi own shadow and will back down every time so why not build a base to help support the terrorists in the neighborhood. Syrian conflict is a disaster which Obama has allowed to go unchecked. with russia backing syria and Iran, our troops in the Middle East are in ever greater danger. We should either pull all our troops out of harms way, or actually fight to win. That would be a novel approach. Obama's so called pivot to Asia is turning into dismal calamity.
2
So we fight the Russians in order to accomplish what exactly? This is type of uncritical nonsense which permeates right wing talk shows and blogs.
2
Putin knows Obama is weak-kneed and will do nothing to stop the Russian build up and support of the Assad regime.The Russians aren't interested in fighting ISIS, they're interested in propping up their Syrian partner. The Assad regime has used chemical weapons which Obama said was a RED line. He did nothing. Putin knows that Obama is afraid of hi own shadow and will back down every time so why not build a base to help support the terrorists in the neighborhood. Syrian conflict is a disaster which Obama has allowed to go unchecked. with russia backing syria and Iran, our troops in the Middle East are in ever greater danger. We should either pull all our troops out of harms way, or actually fight to win. That would be a novel approach. Obama's so called pivot to Asia is turning into dismal calamity.
2
So we fight the Russians in order to accomplish what exactly? This is type of uncritical nonsense which permeates right wing talk shows and blogs.
5
Russia's core interest in Syria is sales of weapons systems, along with the "contracting arrangements" and their "beneficiaries" underpinning and promoting these sales. It isn't a plum that either the seller or the buyer would like to see disappear. Assad is in deep trouble so his business associates are helping him to survive, as it is in both their interests. If the US isn't prepared to physically prevent this help from reaching Syria, it is best off saying nothing, because the only language the leaderships of Syria and Russia understand is brute force. They all have a core interest in defeating ISIL so they should devote themselves to this, each in their own way. The outcome for the future shape of a government in Syria can be revisited thereafter.
And the US sells more arms than anyone else.
6
Yeah, but US sells weapons only to the "good guys" *sarcasm
Russia's core interest in Syria is sales of weapons systems, along with the "contracting arrangements" and their "beneficiaries" underpinning and promoting these sales. It isn't a plum that either the seller or the buyer would like to see disappear. Assad is in deep trouble so his business associates are helping him to survive, as it is in both their interests. If the US isn't prepared to physically prevent this help from reaching Syria, it is best off saying nothing, because the only language the leaderships of Syria and Russia understand is brute force. They all have a core interest in defeating ISIL so they should devote themselves to this, each in their own way. The outcome for the future shape of a government in Syria can be revisited thereafter.
And the US sells more arms than anyone else.
7
Yeah, but US sells weapons only to the "good guys" *sarcasm
1
This is actually a positive turn of events for the U.S. if we would just chill out.
It's good to see Putin squander his dwindling economic resources in the quicksand pits of Syria. There's no sustainable success to be had there.
As for Obama, he will likely get out his dry erase board and scribble a few more dotted red lines. No doubt that our chief community organizer is up to the task.
It's all good.
It's good to see Putin squander his dwindling economic resources in the quicksand pits of Syria. There's no sustainable success to be had there.
As for Obama, he will likely get out his dry erase board and scribble a few more dotted red lines. No doubt that our chief community organizer is up to the task.
It's all good.
3
I don't know if highly profitable arms sales by the Russians qualify as squandering economic resources.
2
Point well taken!
Alas, it'd be better for us if they were buying our weapons. They'd shoot straighter and boost our GDP.
Alas, it'd be better for us if they were buying our weapons. They'd shoot straighter and boost our GDP.
1
This is actually a positive turn of events for the U.S. if we would just chill out.
It's good to see Putin squander his dwindling economic resources in the quicksand pits of Syria. There's no sustainable success to be had there.
As for Obama, he will likely get out his dry erase board and scribble a few more dotted red lines. No doubt that our chief community organizer is up to the task.
It's all good.
It's good to see Putin squander his dwindling economic resources in the quicksand pits of Syria. There's no sustainable success to be had there.
As for Obama, he will likely get out his dry erase board and scribble a few more dotted red lines. No doubt that our chief community organizer is up to the task.
It's all good.
3
I don't know if highly profitable arms sales by the Russians qualify as squandering economic resources.
1
Point well taken!
Alas, it'd be better for us if they were buying our weapons. They'd shoot straighter and boost our GDP.
Alas, it'd be better for us if they were buying our weapons. They'd shoot straighter and boost our GDP.
1
The context in which you use " chief community organizer" is nothing more than thinly veiled contempt with racial undertones.
1
If you leave it up to the good old GOP, the Untied States would be blundering its way in a fast tack to irrelevance; talking hard, falling harder, and shading power left and right! Thank God Americans know better. Currently in the Middle East, for example, ISIS fighting Russia is not our enemy, ISIS propping ( while pretending to fight it) Saudi Arabia is!!
1
Dawit Cherie - "If you leave it up to the good old GOP, the Untied States would be blundering its way in a fast tack to irrelevance;"
I am so glad this Democratic administration has the plans and knows exactly how to handle ISIS and Assad and the Russian Republic all at the same time, wow! It's so obvious.
I am so glad this Democratic administration has the plans and knows exactly how to handle ISIS and Assad and the Russian Republic all at the same time, wow! It's so obvious.
5
The current situation in Syria is a direct result of our invasion of Iraq. People have short memories and a total lack of information resulting a lack of understanding of what is occurring. If Russia wants to fight ISIS, have at it--we will hold your coat.
1
If you leave it up to the good old GOP, the Untied States would be blundering its way in a fast tack to irrelevance; talking hard, falling harder, and shading power left and right! Thank God Americans know better. Currently in the Middle East, for example, ISIS fighting Russia is not our enemy, ISIS propping ( while pretending to fight it) Saudi Arabia is!!
1
Dawit Cherie - "If you leave it up to the good old GOP, the Untied States would be blundering its way in a fast tack to irrelevance;"
I am so glad this Democratic administration has the plans and knows exactly how to handle ISIS and Assad and the Russian Republic all at the same time, wow! It's so obvious.
I am so glad this Democratic administration has the plans and knows exactly how to handle ISIS and Assad and the Russian Republic all at the same time, wow! It's so obvious.
5
The current situation in Syria is a direct result of our invasion of Iraq. People have short memories and a total lack of information resulting a lack of understanding of what is occurring. If Russia wants to fight ISIS, have at it--we will hold your coat.
1
It seems that any issue the U.S.supports, Russia automatically opposes. I think Putin is trying to resurrect the tensions from the period when Russia was a superpower and number one enemy of the U.S., giving him a false sense of Russia still being a force to reckon with.
1
Russia was one of the six major powers that helped the US negotiate the recent nuclear agreement with Iran.
3
It seems that any issue the U.S.supports, Russia automatically opposes. I think Putin is trying to resurrect the tensions from the period when Russia was a superpower and number one enemy of the U.S., giving him a false sense of Russia still being a force to reckon with.
1
Russia was one of the six major powers that helped the US negotiate the recent nuclear agreement with Iran.
5
Latakia is a major source of prize tobacco. The Russians must be trying to secure a vital raw material for their cigarette industry. After all, the Americans always invade any country they like.
3
Latakia is a major source of prize tobacco. The Russians must be trying to secure a vital raw material for their cigarette industry. After all, the Americans always invade any country they like.
3
Let Russia do what they want and deal with the consequences. Putin might be looking for a proxy war with the US similar to ones the Soviet Union had. Then his hands would be completely free to take Ukrain and maybe more of the neighboring countries back. They are putting a bait out.
1
Let Russia do what they want and deal with the consequences. Putin might be looking for a proxy war with the US similar to ones the Soviet Union had. Then his hands would be completely free to take Ukrain and maybe more of the neighboring countries back. They are putting a bait out.
This is exactly what makes our foreign policy so stupid. Let Russia get involved. I hope they put soldiers on the ground to fight ISIS. What would happen if Assad falls. The same thing that happened when: the Shah fell, Saddam fell, Gadhafi fell, Mubarak, fell, Need any more historical data points Barak, Kerry or our other foreign policy mavens who don't seem to remember the: "Those who forget history....."
8
Chaos, regime change IS the policy ... to naive eyes US policy appears irrational in the extreme... inside the beltway there is a twisted logic in play.
2
This is exactly what makes our foreign policy so stupid. Let Russia get involved. I hope they put soldiers on the ground to fight ISIS. What would happen if Assad falls. The same thing that happened when: the Shah fell, Saddam fell, Gadhafi fell, Mubarak, fell, Need any more historical data points Barak, Kerry or our other foreign policy mavens who don't seem to remember the: "Those who forget history....."
9
Chaos, regime change IS the policy ... to naive eyes US policy appears irrational in the extreme... inside the beltway there is a twisted logic in play.
2
Putin has no respect for Pres. Obama and he is calling his bluff and winning. Russia wants to assert itself around the world. So does China. The US has a stagnant economy, big social and political problems and a lame duck President who lacks resolve in foreign policy. Putin knows Obama will do nothing but complain. He wants Syria as an ally in the future. Iraq has got nothing to offset Russian power, nothing.
3
What ,exactly, is Putin winning? Oh, a Syrian ally who has been an ally of Russia for years -- good thinking.
1
Putin has no respect for Pres. Obama and he is calling his bluff and winning. Russia wants to assert itself around the world. So does China. The US has a stagnant economy, big social and political problems and a lame duck President who lacks resolve in foreign policy. Putin knows Obama will do nothing but complain. He wants Syria as an ally in the future. Iraq has got nothing to offset Russian power, nothing.
2
What ,exactly, is Putin winning? Oh, a Syrian ally who has been an ally of Russia for years -- good thinking.
3
Influence in the Middle East especially if he can get rid of ISIS and with Iran which is Shiite and ISIS is mostly Sunni.
“I don’t believe Western governments are prepared to do very much to slow down or block the risky course the Russians are going on.”
Merkel and Hollande actually support Putin's efforts... their nations are overwhelmed by refugees from wars and terror supported by the Anglo-Americans, Israelis and Gulf state monarchies.
Merkel and Hollande actually support Putin's efforts... their nations are overwhelmed by refugees from wars and terror supported by the Anglo-Americans, Israelis and Gulf state monarchies.
4
“I don’t believe Western governments are prepared to do very much to slow down or block the risky course the Russians are going on.”
Merkel and Hollande actually support Putin's efforts... their nations are overwhelmed by refugees from wars and terror supported by the Anglo-Americans, Israelis and Gulf state monarchies.
Merkel and Hollande actually support Putin's efforts... their nations are overwhelmed by refugees from wars and terror supported by the Anglo-Americans, Israelis and Gulf state monarchies.
6
Putin will do whatever he pleases so long as Obama is in office. He knows the U.S. is no threat.
2
ok tough guy... you want a nuclear confrontation with Russia to support your ISIS/ al Qaeda allies in Syria
Got it.
Got it.
4
Putin will do whatever he pleases so long as Obama is in office. He knows the U.S. is no threat.
2
ok tough guy... you want a nuclear confrontation with Russia to support your ISIS/ al Qaeda allies in Syria
Got it.
Got it.
6
Evidently progressives continue to fantasize about the evil of everyone who disagrees with them and watch too many old Westerns on their phones. Recognizing the harsh realities of international affairs in the days of Putin, ISIS, AQ et al does not imply the belief that U.S. foreign policy and Ghengis Khan should have a lot in common. But this administration has conveyed a message of weakness to every scoundrel on the planet.
Good old Republicans--fight a war against the only strong middle eastern power that counters Iran and keeps Al Quida and its progeny, ISIS, under control--Saddam's Iraq. Now we all are left with ISIS, a shite Iraq that does Iran's bidding and a building Russian influence in the Middle East.
1
If only Obama hadn't messed up Iraq! Obama inherited a stable Iraq, but pulled troops out too soon-against all advice- just so he could score a few cheap temporary political points. Obama's irresponsible decisions on Iraq will go down I historians the greatest blunder in history!
1
Good old Republicans--fight a war against the only strong middle eastern power that counters Iran and keeps Al Quida and its progeny, ISIS, under control--Saddam's Iraq. Now we all are left with ISIS, a shite Iraq that does Iran's bidding and a building Russian influence in the Middle East.
1
If only Obama hadn't messed up Iraq! Obama inherited a stable Iraq, but pulled troops out too soon-against all advice- just so he could score a few cheap temporary political points. Obama's irresponsible decisions on Iraq will go down I historians the greatest blunder in history!
2
I DO NOT think it is in the best interest of the Untied States to confront Russia over its support of the Assad regime. As brute as he is to his own people, Assad is resisting a Saudi effort to absorb Syria and parts of Iraq into its radical Wahhabi front designed to push back against Iran. We out of our mind if we think the Saudis are friends in the Middle East. Remember 9/11? Have you asked where ISIS came from? Make no mistake, the Saudis are not our friends!
5
I DO NOT think it is in the best interest of the Untied States to confront Russia over its support of the Assad regime. As brute as he is to his own people, Assad is resisting a Saudi effort to absorb Syria and parts of Iraq into its radical Wahhabi front designed to push back against Iran. We out of our mind if we think the Saudis are friends in the Middle East. Remember 9/11? Have you asked where ISIS came from? Make no mistake, the Saudis are not our friends!
7
The amount of comments heaping praise on Russia (and even to a certain extent Iran) for propping up the Assad regime is a bit unbelievable. How quickly some forget that Assad's brutality led to Syrians rising up against the regime.
Russia is not getting involved in Syria to fight ISIS, but instead look out for its own interests in keeping Assad in power to ensure Russia's only naval base outside of the former Soviet Union can remain in Syria. Russia's efforts are doomed to fail in the long run for the simple reason Assad no longer has the legitimacy since 2011 to ever be able to consolidate his power and control Syria again while keeping Assad and the Ba'ath Party around only acts as a point of division for Syrians and the best recruiting tool ISIS could have hoped for.
Russia is not getting involved in Syria to fight ISIS, but instead look out for its own interests in keeping Assad in power to ensure Russia's only naval base outside of the former Soviet Union can remain in Syria. Russia's efforts are doomed to fail in the long run for the simple reason Assad no longer has the legitimacy since 2011 to ever be able to consolidate his power and control Syria again while keeping Assad and the Ba'ath Party around only acts as a point of division for Syrians and the best recruiting tool ISIS could have hoped for.
1
The amount of comments heaping praise on Russia (and even to a certain extent Iran) for propping up the Assad regime is a bit unbelievable. How quickly some forget that Assad's brutality led to Syrians rising up against the regime.
Russia is not getting involved in Syria to fight ISIS, but instead look out for its own interests in keeping Assad in power to ensure Russia's only naval base outside of the former Soviet Union can remain in Syria. Russia's efforts are doomed to fail in the long run for the simple reason Assad no longer has the legitimacy since 2011 to ever be able to consolidate his power and control Syria again while keeping Assad and the Ba'ath Party around only acts as a point of division for Syrians and the best recruiting tool ISIS could have hoped for.
Russia is not getting involved in Syria to fight ISIS, but instead look out for its own interests in keeping Assad in power to ensure Russia's only naval base outside of the former Soviet Union can remain in Syria. Russia's efforts are doomed to fail in the long run for the simple reason Assad no longer has the legitimacy since 2011 to ever be able to consolidate his power and control Syria again while keeping Assad and the Ba'ath Party around only acts as a point of division for Syrians and the best recruiting tool ISIS could have hoped for.
2
You have to look at facts on the ground, and the reality that there is no sane alternative besides supporting Assad. May I remind you that there were Arab Spring uprisings in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Morocco and look who is in power in these countries now?
2
ISIS is a regional threat and Putin's Russia is a global one. Let's set priorities accordingly.
1
That's exactly what U.S. policy makers are doing. Their actions show that they would rather see all of Syria fall to ISIS than let Russia keep a foothold in the Middle East. But is this really in the U.S. national interests?
5
@AK
If that was the case, the US would not be spending a great deal of money and dedicating military resources to attacking ISIS.
The US, as with a great deal of the international community, see's Assad as a barrier to defeating ISIS because he has lost all credibility to rule Syria, started the civil war by attacking protesters for equal rights, acts as a divider in Syria and is a dream recruiting tool for ISIS.
Unless Syrians unite to rid themselves of ISIS, this conflict will not end and eventually Syria will break apart but Syrians are not ever going to unite around Assad family dictatorship after what it has done. That is why Assad can only control less than 1/4 of Syria and cannot even get Syrians to fight for his regime anymore, relying on Russia and Iran to keep the regime alive.
If that was the case, the US would not be spending a great deal of money and dedicating military resources to attacking ISIS.
The US, as with a great deal of the international community, see's Assad as a barrier to defeating ISIS because he has lost all credibility to rule Syria, started the civil war by attacking protesters for equal rights, acts as a divider in Syria and is a dream recruiting tool for ISIS.
Unless Syrians unite to rid themselves of ISIS, this conflict will not end and eventually Syria will break apart but Syrians are not ever going to unite around Assad family dictatorship after what it has done. That is why Assad can only control less than 1/4 of Syria and cannot even get Syrians to fight for his regime anymore, relying on Russia and Iran to keep the regime alive.
Russia already has a foothold in the ME--Syria.
ISIS is a regional threat and Putin's Russia is a global one. Let's set priorities accordingly.
1
That's exactly what U.S. policy makers are doing. Their actions show that they would rather see all of Syria fall to ISIS than let Russia keep a foothold in the Middle East. But is this really in the U.S. national interests?
5
@AK
If that was the case, the US would not be spending a great deal of money and dedicating military resources to attacking ISIS.
The US, as with a great deal of the international community, see's Assad as a barrier to defeating ISIS because he has lost all credibility to rule Syria, started the civil war by attacking protesters for equal rights, acts as a divider in Syria and is a dream recruiting tool for ISIS.
Unless Syrians unite to rid themselves of ISIS, this conflict will not end and eventually Syria will break apart but Syrians are not ever going to unite around Assad family dictatorship after what it has done. That is why Assad can only control less than 1/4 of Syria and cannot even get Syrians to fight for his regime anymore, relying on Russia and Iran to keep the regime alive.
If that was the case, the US would not be spending a great deal of money and dedicating military resources to attacking ISIS.
The US, as with a great deal of the international community, see's Assad as a barrier to defeating ISIS because he has lost all credibility to rule Syria, started the civil war by attacking protesters for equal rights, acts as a divider in Syria and is a dream recruiting tool for ISIS.
Unless Syrians unite to rid themselves of ISIS, this conflict will not end and eventually Syria will break apart but Syrians are not ever going to unite around Assad family dictatorship after what it has done. That is why Assad can only control less than 1/4 of Syria and cannot even get Syrians to fight for his regime anymore, relying on Russia and Iran to keep the regime alive.
Russia already has a foothold in the ME--Syria.
1
Another diplomatic coup for Mr Putin, while we sit on the sidelines, with our heads in the sand. The Russians have now backed us into a diplomatic corner, because of out ill fated, non thought out strategy in Syria and the Middle East. Russia will now be directly in the fight against ISIL. and I believed they have learned from Afghanistan, unlike the US and its allies. Putin claims that his fight is against ISIL and he aims to prevent the spread of chaos and the radicalization of the Middle East. What can the US say to the world, "No we don't want Russia involved in Syria and the fight against ISIL". This will only validate Mr Putin's claim, that the war in Syria is not about ISIL but really about regime change in Syria, which has been the US and British policy for the past four years and two hundred thousand lives later. The reason that the US and the Brits want to end Assad regime is two fold. First, to pipe gas and oil through Syria and decrease Europe's dependence on Russian energy, Second to isolate Iran, since Syria is their main ally in the region, by the way, which is now pointless sine the Iran Nuclear Deal is all but passed. This is just another stain on America's record. Even though our neocons and the majority of Americans don't believe this, the rest of the world is taking notes....
3
@Another perspective
If Russia was so concerned about terrorism and the well being of the region, it should not have vetoed the UN Mission to Syria recommendations in 2012. The UN reports made it very clear without an intervention, Syria would attract terror groups from around the region to take advantage of the void created by the conflict, the conflict would become sectarian in nature and would spread into neighboring nations.
The UN plan called for a UN intervention to first split up the combatants, install a UN transitional government and hold UN administered elections.
Russia led 3 vetoes against the UN plan in an effort to prop up Assad and absolutely everything the UN predicted could happen, has happened.
Let's not pretend Russia's intentions have changed, they are not interested in ISIS and are looking out for their own interests as they see tied to Assad staying in power.
If Russia was so concerned about terrorism and the well being of the region, it should not have vetoed the UN Mission to Syria recommendations in 2012. The UN reports made it very clear without an intervention, Syria would attract terror groups from around the region to take advantage of the void created by the conflict, the conflict would become sectarian in nature and would spread into neighboring nations.
The UN plan called for a UN intervention to first split up the combatants, install a UN transitional government and hold UN administered elections.
Russia led 3 vetoes against the UN plan in an effort to prop up Assad and absolutely everything the UN predicted could happen, has happened.
Let's not pretend Russia's intentions have changed, they are not interested in ISIS and are looking out for their own interests as they see tied to Assad staying in power.
Do we not do the same thing with our greatest ally, Israel???
Another diplomatic coup for Mr Putin, while we sit on the sidelines, with our heads in the sand. The Russians have now backed us into a diplomatic corner, because of out ill fated, non thought out strategy in Syria and the Middle East. Russia will now be directly in the fight against ISIL. and I believed they have learned from Afghanistan, unlike the US and its allies. Putin claims that his fight is against ISIL and he aims to prevent the spread of chaos and the radicalization of the Middle East. What can the US say to the world, "No we don't want Russia involved in Syria and the fight against ISIL". This will only validate Mr Putin's claim, that the war in Syria is not about ISIL but really about regime change in Syria, which has been the US and British policy for the past four years and two hundred thousand lives later. The reason that the US and the Brits want to end Assad regime is two fold. First, to pipe gas and oil through Syria and decrease Europe's dependence on Russian energy, Second to isolate Iran, since Syria is their main ally in the region, by the way, which is now pointless sine the Iran Nuclear Deal is all but passed. This is just another stain on America's record. Even though our neocons and the majority of Americans don't believe this, the rest of the world is taking notes....
4
@Another perspective
If Russia was so concerned about terrorism and the well being of the region, it should not have vetoed the UN Mission to Syria recommendations in 2012. The UN reports made it very clear without an intervention, Syria would attract terror groups from around the region to take advantage of the void created by the conflict, the conflict would become sectarian in nature and would spread into neighboring nations.
The UN plan called for a UN intervention to first split up the combatants, install a UN transitional government and hold UN administered elections.
Russia led 3 vetoes against the UN plan in an effort to prop up Assad and absolutely everything the UN predicted could happen, has happened.
Let's not pretend Russia's intentions have changed, they are not interested in ISIS and are looking out for their own interests as they see tied to Assad staying in power.
If Russia was so concerned about terrorism and the well being of the region, it should not have vetoed the UN Mission to Syria recommendations in 2012. The UN reports made it very clear without an intervention, Syria would attract terror groups from around the region to take advantage of the void created by the conflict, the conflict would become sectarian in nature and would spread into neighboring nations.
The UN plan called for a UN intervention to first split up the combatants, install a UN transitional government and hold UN administered elections.
Russia led 3 vetoes against the UN plan in an effort to prop up Assad and absolutely everything the UN predicted could happen, has happened.
Let's not pretend Russia's intentions have changed, they are not interested in ISIS and are looking out for their own interests as they see tied to Assad staying in power.
Do we not do the same thing with our greatest ally, Israel???
"... The Obama administration’s warnings to the Russians were decidedly stark..."
-----------------------------------
What did the administration do, draw another red line? And they're surprised that Putin crossed it?
-----------------------------------
What did the administration do, draw another red line? And they're surprised that Putin crossed it?
1
"... The Obama administration’s warnings to the Russians were decidedly stark..."
-----------------------------------
What did the administration do, draw another red line? And they're surprised that Putin crossed it?
-----------------------------------
What did the administration do, draw another red line? And they're surprised that Putin crossed it?
1
Assad and ISIS are two sides of the same coin. Assad specifically targeted moderate forces with vicious attacks and left ISIS alone in order to create a false choice for foreign powers: either him or what has emerged as ISIS.
When given a false choice you always choose a different option than the one presented. In Syria we should support our ally Turkey in order to create a safe zone for refugees and stabilize an region inside Syria that is outside Assad's and ISIS control. From the Turkish border to Homs. And to continue to support the Kurds in Iraq and Syria.
When given a false choice you always choose a different option than the one presented. In Syria we should support our ally Turkey in order to create a safe zone for refugees and stabilize an region inside Syria that is outside Assad's and ISIS control. From the Turkish border to Homs. And to continue to support the Kurds in Iraq and Syria.
Assad and ISIS are two sides of the same coin. Assad specifically targeted moderate forces with vicious attacks and left ISIS alone in order to create a false choice for foreign powers: either him or what has emerged as ISIS.
When given a false choice you always choose a different option than the one presented. In Syria we should support our ally Turkey in order to create a safe zone for refugees and stabilize an region inside Syria that is outside Assad's and ISIS control. From the Turkish border to Homs. And to continue to support the Kurds in Iraq and Syria.
When given a false choice you always choose a different option than the one presented. In Syria we should support our ally Turkey in order to create a safe zone for refugees and stabilize an region inside Syria that is outside Assad's and ISIS control. From the Turkish border to Homs. And to continue to support the Kurds in Iraq and Syria.
Two administrations later and what have we done over there that has been for the benefit and prestige of the American people? NOTHING
1
Two administrations later and what have we done over there that has been for the benefit and prestige of the American people? NOTHING
2
Do we really know who are are allies in this mess that we are calling Syria/Levant etc?
What have we done for the Iraqis since ISIS moved in Mosul?
Quite a few Iraqis that I have met question our motives in Iraq and Syria. They are very vocal and claim that we (US) helped with the creation of ISIL and prior to that Zarqawi who was in US custody prior to his becoming the leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq. And so was Baghdadi, what a coincidence? Both of these snakes/terrorists were and are being helped by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (our 9-11 friends – 16 of 19 hijackers were Saudis). And the logistical support is provided by Turkey.
We it appears are really not interested in defeating ISIS we need them as the Pakistani needs their good Taliban, they come in handy to our intelligence agencies too.
I am beginning to wonder where our interests are, working with the Saudis with ISIS or destroying ISIS – the cancer of humanity. Saudis are not that different.
The Russians have not forgotten Afghanistan, neither us nor the Wahhabi ideology that drove them out of Afghanistan. As we are not going to put boots on the ground, we need to work with the countries that are able and willing to do that. We should not be complaining if Iran, Syria, Iraq, and Russia get together to get rid of the Wahhabi/ISIS/Salafi/Saudi ideology from the Levant. Once they remove this cancerous growth from Syria and Iraq, maybe we would not have to fight them here in our backyard.
What have we done for the Iraqis since ISIS moved in Mosul?
Quite a few Iraqis that I have met question our motives in Iraq and Syria. They are very vocal and claim that we (US) helped with the creation of ISIL and prior to that Zarqawi who was in US custody prior to his becoming the leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq. And so was Baghdadi, what a coincidence? Both of these snakes/terrorists were and are being helped by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (our 9-11 friends – 16 of 19 hijackers were Saudis). And the logistical support is provided by Turkey.
We it appears are really not interested in defeating ISIS we need them as the Pakistani needs their good Taliban, they come in handy to our intelligence agencies too.
I am beginning to wonder where our interests are, working with the Saudis with ISIS or destroying ISIS – the cancer of humanity. Saudis are not that different.
The Russians have not forgotten Afghanistan, neither us nor the Wahhabi ideology that drove them out of Afghanistan. As we are not going to put boots on the ground, we need to work with the countries that are able and willing to do that. We should not be complaining if Iran, Syria, Iraq, and Russia get together to get rid of the Wahhabi/ISIS/Salafi/Saudi ideology from the Levant. Once they remove this cancerous growth from Syria and Iraq, maybe we would not have to fight them here in our backyard.
11
Correct. The Obama administration facilitated the rise of ISIS. Furthermore, the removal of Assad has been a long-term objective of Obama. All prior attempts at removing Assad have failed. Obama may see ISIS as his last best hope for removing Assad. For those reasons you are correct in wondering if the US is really serious in defeating ISIS.
4
Do we really know who are are allies in this mess that we are calling Syria/Levant etc?
What have we done for the Iraqis since ISIS moved in Mosul?
Quite a few Iraqis that I have met question our motives in Iraq and Syria. They are very vocal and claim that we (US) helped with the creation of ISIL and prior to that Zarqawi who was in US custody prior to his becoming the leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq. And so was Baghdadi, what a coincidence? Both of these snakes/terrorists were and are being helped by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (our 9-11 friends – 16 of 19 hijackers were Saudis). And the logistical support is provided by Turkey.
We it appears are really not interested in defeating ISIS we need them as the Pakistani needs their good Taliban, they come in handy to our intelligence agencies too.
I am beginning to wonder where our interests are, working with the Saudis with ISIS or destroying ISIS – the cancer of humanity. Saudis are not that different.
The Russians have not forgotten Afghanistan, neither us nor the Wahhabi ideology that drove them out of Afghanistan. As we are not going to put boots on the ground, we need to work with the countries that are able and willing to do that. We should not be complaining if Iran, Syria, Iraq, and Russia get together to get rid of the Wahhabi/ISIS/Salafi/Saudi ideology from the Levant. Once they remove this cancerous growth from Syria and Iraq, maybe we would not have to fight them here in our backyard.
What have we done for the Iraqis since ISIS moved in Mosul?
Quite a few Iraqis that I have met question our motives in Iraq and Syria. They are very vocal and claim that we (US) helped with the creation of ISIL and prior to that Zarqawi who was in US custody prior to his becoming the leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq. And so was Baghdadi, what a coincidence? Both of these snakes/terrorists were and are being helped by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (our 9-11 friends – 16 of 19 hijackers were Saudis). And the logistical support is provided by Turkey.
We it appears are really not interested in defeating ISIS we need them as the Pakistani needs their good Taliban, they come in handy to our intelligence agencies too.
I am beginning to wonder where our interests are, working with the Saudis with ISIS or destroying ISIS – the cancer of humanity. Saudis are not that different.
The Russians have not forgotten Afghanistan, neither us nor the Wahhabi ideology that drove them out of Afghanistan. As we are not going to put boots on the ground, we need to work with the countries that are able and willing to do that. We should not be complaining if Iran, Syria, Iraq, and Russia get together to get rid of the Wahhabi/ISIS/Salafi/Saudi ideology from the Levant. Once they remove this cancerous growth from Syria and Iraq, maybe we would not have to fight them here in our backyard.
14
Correct. The Obama administration facilitated the rise of ISIS. Furthermore, the removal of Assad has been a long-term objective of Obama. All prior attempts at removing Assad have failed. Obama may see ISIS as his last best hope for removing Assad. For those reasons you are correct in wondering if the US is really serious in defeating ISIS.
5
If Russia annexed Syria and got rid of ISIS...I wouldn't complain.
Germany wouldn't either.
The US "secret" policy of financing a prolonged war is a human disaster.
We need to stop funding the rebels and get out of the mid east.
And for heavens sakes sanctions on Russia just hurts the people. Vlad sleeps just fine at night.
And anyone who thinks giving Iran nuclear power is a good idea...deserves to get nuked.
Germany wouldn't either.
The US "secret" policy of financing a prolonged war is a human disaster.
We need to stop funding the rebels and get out of the mid east.
And for heavens sakes sanctions on Russia just hurts the people. Vlad sleeps just fine at night.
And anyone who thinks giving Iran nuclear power is a good idea...deserves to get nuked.
3
Meanwhile the Saudis plan to build 16 nuclear power reactors over the next 20 years. Do you think they will agree to inspections to makes sure that no plutonium gets diverted from these reactors?
1
The Saudis have no choice but to build nuclear weapons since Obama gave Iran the right to build nukes
Why would they have to agree to inspections? They have signed the NPT and have agree to the safeguard agreement with the IAEA. There are several foreign countries, including Finland and France, who will be actively working with the Saudis on the reactors. It is a transparent process.
If Russia annexed Syria and got rid of ISIS...I wouldn't complain.
Germany wouldn't either.
The US "secret" policy of financing a prolonged war is a human disaster.
We need to stop funding the rebels and get out of the mid east.
And for heavens sakes sanctions on Russia just hurts the people. Vlad sleeps just fine at night.
And anyone who thinks giving Iran nuclear power is a good idea...deserves to get nuked.
Germany wouldn't either.
The US "secret" policy of financing a prolonged war is a human disaster.
We need to stop funding the rebels and get out of the mid east.
And for heavens sakes sanctions on Russia just hurts the people. Vlad sleeps just fine at night.
And anyone who thinks giving Iran nuclear power is a good idea...deserves to get nuked.
5
Meanwhile the Saudis plan to build 16 nuclear power reactors over the next 20 years. Do you think they will agree to inspections to makes sure that no plutonium gets diverted from these reactors?
1
The Saudis have no choice but to build nuclear weapons since Obama gave Iran the right to build nukes
Why would they have to agree to inspections? They have signed the NPT and have agree to the safeguard agreement with the IAEA. There are several foreign countries, including Finland and France, who will be actively working with the Saudis on the reactors. It is a transparent process.
Ideological states, like the Soviet Union, commit atrocities against their own people in the name of ideology. Concerted attacks by ISIS against the US are speculative and unlikely looking at historical precedent. It's time to end Syrian policy based on panic mode and to begin efforts aimed at the best interests of the Syrian people. Russia's sale of weapons to Assad is decidedly unhelpful. And Obama's reaction to these weapon sales is spot on.
Calling for the overthrow of government can get one into trouble anywhere.
1
Ideological states, like the Soviet Union, commit atrocities against their own people in the name of ideology. Concerted attacks by ISIS against the US are speculative and unlikely looking at historical precedent. It's time to end Syrian policy based on panic mode and to begin efforts aimed at the best interests of the Syrian people. Russia's sale of weapons to Assad is decidedly unhelpful. And Obama's reaction to these weapon sales is spot on.
Calling for the overthrow of government can get one into trouble anywhere.
2
Both Iran and Iraq are sovereign states, they make their own decisions.
Countries in the Middle East can hardly be blamed for listening to other superpowers as well, the U.S. has only itself to blame.
Anyway, it would be better to work with Russia in Syria than let them unleash their troops on their own. Russia has too bloody and dirty way to fight terrorists; way too much collateral damage.
Countries in the Middle East can hardly be blamed for listening to other superpowers as well, the U.S. has only itself to blame.
Anyway, it would be better to work with Russia in Syria than let them unleash their troops on their own. Russia has too bloody and dirty way to fight terrorists; way too much collateral damage.
1
Both Iran and Iraq are sovereign states, they make their own decisions.
Countries in the Middle East can hardly be blamed for listening to other superpowers as well, the U.S. has only itself to blame.
Anyway, it would be better to work with Russia in Syria than let them unleash their troops on their own. Russia has too bloody and dirty way to fight terrorists; way too much collateral damage.
Countries in the Middle East can hardly be blamed for listening to other superpowers as well, the U.S. has only itself to blame.
Anyway, it would be better to work with Russia in Syria than let them unleash their troops on their own. Russia has too bloody and dirty way to fight terrorists; way too much collateral damage.
1
I don't understand, "What's the Risk"? The ISIS threat grows everyday in the Middle East. Our efforts in Iraq have gone down the tubes so far that our own politicians are now saying "we should not have invaded Iraq"...
So the Obama administration is crying foul because it see's the Russian build up as a means to project power? Syria has always been a Russian client.
To ask Mr. Mardini to take a stand while he's trying to politically tap dance in Iraq is very unrealistic right now. The Russians know this and in effect they are thumbing their noses at American power in the region. Our overreach in Iraq has exposed our country's military and political will in the region. The Russians know this. The Ukrainians know this, the people of Iraq know this.
The Obama administration should extend an invitation to the Russians to help put a lid on the ISIS threat. An Assad overthrow by ISIS, ISIL etc. unfortunately would be disastrous.
So the Obama administration is crying foul because it see's the Russian build up as a means to project power? Syria has always been a Russian client.
To ask Mr. Mardini to take a stand while he's trying to politically tap dance in Iraq is very unrealistic right now. The Russians know this and in effect they are thumbing their noses at American power in the region. Our overreach in Iraq has exposed our country's military and political will in the region. The Russians know this. The Ukrainians know this, the people of Iraq know this.
The Obama administration should extend an invitation to the Russians to help put a lid on the ISIS threat. An Assad overthrow by ISIS, ISIL etc. unfortunately would be disastrous.
5
I don't understand, "What's the Risk"? The ISIS threat grows everyday in the Middle East. Our efforts in Iraq have gone down the tubes so far that our own politicians are now saying "we should not have invaded Iraq"...
So the Obama administration is crying foul because it see's the Russian build up as a means to project power? Syria has always been a Russian client.
To ask Mr. Mardini to take a stand while he's trying to politically tap dance in Iraq is very unrealistic right now. The Russians know this and in effect they are thumbing their noses at American power in the region. Our overreach in Iraq has exposed our country's military and political will in the region. The Russians know this. The Ukrainians know this, the people of Iraq know this.
The Obama administration should extend an invitation to the Russians to help put a lid on the ISIS threat. An Assad overthrow by ISIS, ISIL etc. unfortunately would be disastrous.
So the Obama administration is crying foul because it see's the Russian build up as a means to project power? Syria has always been a Russian client.
To ask Mr. Mardini to take a stand while he's trying to politically tap dance in Iraq is very unrealistic right now. The Russians know this and in effect they are thumbing their noses at American power in the region. Our overreach in Iraq has exposed our country's military and political will in the region. The Russians know this. The Ukrainians know this, the people of Iraq know this.
The Obama administration should extend an invitation to the Russians to help put a lid on the ISIS threat. An Assad overthrow by ISIS, ISIL etc. unfortunately would be disastrous.
5
Many commentators fail to realize that neither Putin or Assad are interested in fighting ISIS. In fact the Assad regime played a major role in their rise because it wanted to derail the mainstream Syrian opposition and present the world with a stark choice of Assad or ISIS. Furthermore, Assads genocidal crimes against the Sunni majority and the refusal of the West to do anything about it led to both ISIS and the refugee crisis. Putin wants to exploit this as well as aggravate the refugee crisis to undermine the EU.
3
Many commentators fail to realize that neither Putin or Assad are interested in fighting ISIS. In fact the Assad regime played a major role in their rise because it wanted to derail the mainstream Syrian opposition and present the world with a stark choice of Assad or ISIS. Furthermore, Assads genocidal crimes against the Sunni majority and the refusal of the West to do anything about it led to both ISIS and the refugee crisis. Putin wants to exploit this as well as aggravate the refugee crisis to undermine the EU.
3
Obama lost any ability for us to influence events in the region when, against the advice of his generals, completely pulled out of Iraq and allowed the country to implode. ISIS spread like a cancer across the Levant while under President Obama's watch. The only mistake bigger than "W" getting us into Iraq was Obama whizzing it away.
The Iran Treaty...I mean er..ah..Iran Deal cemented our position as "non-players" in the region. All of the bad actors are filling our void. This should come as no surprise. Obama has accomplished what any number of Soviet Premiers or Iranian Mullahs could not. Allowed Russia to become the preeminent super power in the region and Iran to become the regional hegemony. Bravo President Obama and John Kerry! Bravo! This gift will keep on giving for a generation or two.
The Iran Treaty...I mean er..ah..Iran Deal cemented our position as "non-players" in the region. All of the bad actors are filling our void. This should come as no surprise. Obama has accomplished what any number of Soviet Premiers or Iranian Mullahs could not. Allowed Russia to become the preeminent super power in the region and Iran to become the regional hegemony. Bravo President Obama and John Kerry! Bravo! This gift will keep on giving for a generation or two.
3
@ ElvisX
"Obama . . . has allowed Russia to become the preeminent superpower in the region and Iran to become the regional hegemony".
And this is upsetting you . . why, exactly?
"Obama . . . has allowed Russia to become the preeminent superpower in the region and Iran to become the regional hegemony".
And this is upsetting you . . why, exactly?
Obama lost any ability for us to influence events in the region when, against the advice of his generals, completely pulled out of Iraq and allowed the country to implode. ISIS spread like a cancer across the Levant while under President Obama's watch. The only mistake bigger than "W" getting us into Iraq was Obama whizzing it away.
The Iran Treaty...I mean er..ah..Iran Deal cemented our position as "non-players" in the region. All of the bad actors are filling our void. This should come as no surprise. Obama has accomplished what any number of Soviet Premiers or Iranian Mullahs could not. Allowed Russia to become the preeminent super power in the region and Iran to become the regional hegemony. Bravo President Obama and John Kerry! Bravo! This gift will keep on giving for a generation or two.
The Iran Treaty...I mean er..ah..Iran Deal cemented our position as "non-players" in the region. All of the bad actors are filling our void. This should come as no surprise. Obama has accomplished what any number of Soviet Premiers or Iranian Mullahs could not. Allowed Russia to become the preeminent super power in the region and Iran to become the regional hegemony. Bravo President Obama and John Kerry! Bravo! This gift will keep on giving for a generation or two.
3
@ ElvisX
"Obama . . . has allowed Russia to become the preeminent superpower in the region and Iran to become the regional hegemony".
And this is upsetting you . . why, exactly?
"Obama . . . has allowed Russia to become the preeminent superpower in the region and Iran to become the regional hegemony".
And this is upsetting you . . why, exactly?
2
With decades of military ties, their only base in the Mediterranean and very strong ties between Syria's Orthodox churches and the Russian Orthodox Church you have to expect Putin to exert every effort to keep this regime in power. We cannot underestimate the powerful influence the Russian Orthodox Church has on this situation.
3
Long has the Russian Church been repressed under communist atheism.
With decades of military ties, their only base in the Mediterranean and very strong ties between Syria's Orthodox churches and the Russian Orthodox Church you have to expect Putin to exert every effort to keep this regime in power. We cannot underestimate the powerful influence the Russian Orthodox Church has on this situation.
4
Long has the Russian Church been repressed under communist atheism.
Look deeper. Russia is using this fiasco (ISIS and the Syrian war) to do two things: They wish to keep the 'west' engaged and destabilized - they are doing that quite well as we run around in circles arguing who is going to take in the displaced refugees from that war and how much we should get involved militarily. Secondly, this give Russia the perfect 'cover' to set up a base in the Middle East, further expanding its influence, physical presence and control. With due respect to Obama, there is a window between now and the next president, potentially perhaps a bit more militarily inclined, when Putin can invade countries, shoot down civilian airliners and create havoc across the free world without fear of meaningful reprisals. And he intends to make full use of it. I would advise Mr. Obama to draw a red line, but Mr. Obama has a red line eraser he loves to employ and everyone knows it.
7
That's exactly right...Obama wants Putin in the Middle East... it has little meaning to us strategically. Meanwhile, Russia and China are creeping toward Alaska. Let's get out of the M.E.
Look deeper. Russia is using this fiasco (ISIS and the Syrian war) to do two things: They wish to keep the 'west' engaged and destabilized - they are doing that quite well as we run around in circles arguing who is going to take in the displaced refugees from that war and how much we should get involved militarily. Secondly, this give Russia the perfect 'cover' to set up a base in the Middle East, further expanding its influence, physical presence and control. With due respect to Obama, there is a window between now and the next president, potentially perhaps a bit more militarily inclined, when Putin can invade countries, shoot down civilian airliners and create havoc across the free world without fear of meaningful reprisals. And he intends to make full use of it. I would advise Mr. Obama to draw a red line, but Mr. Obama has a red line eraser he loves to employ and everyone knows it.
7
That's exactly right...Obama wants Putin in the Middle East... it has little meaning to us strategically. Meanwhile, Russia and China are creeping toward Alaska. Let's get out of the M.E.
Its well known but not reported by the radicalized left wing media that the Obama Administration was making up the so called success of our Bombing campaign.....Russia knows Obama and his red lines are just pantie waist comments and Obama is a coward when it comes to defending the US....Obama was warned by our chiefs and he ignored them... now his mistake made the IS movement grow and thrive...ISIS is the result of Obamas incompentence
4
Bush's incursion into Iraq and toppling Hussein, ultimately resulted in chaos and a power vacuuum which allowed ISIS to develop.
Its well known but not reported by the radicalized left wing media that the Obama Administration was making up the so called success of our Bombing campaign.....Russia knows Obama and his red lines are just pantie waist comments and Obama is a coward when it comes to defending the US....Obama was warned by our chiefs and he ignored them... now his mistake made the IS movement grow and thrive...ISIS is the result of Obamas incompentence
5
Bush's incursion into Iraq and toppling Hussein, ultimately resulted in chaos and a power vacuuum which allowed ISIS to develop.
2
Russia's meddling here and in Ukraine can be directed traced to Obama's weakness and inaction in Syria despite his redline promising retaliation for WMD usage.
6
Russia's meddling here and in Ukraine can be directed traced to Obama's weakness and inaction in Syria despite his redline promising retaliation for WMD usage.
6
Speaking of hubris and naivete, two terms coming up a lot in these comments, I recall a lot of optimistic claims (including a NYT op ed) that the Russian-backed chemical weapons agreement in Syria might be the beginning of a new era of cooperation in Syria, and possibly the beginning of the end of the civil war. Obama was lauded and victory was proclaimed.
Americans (even liberals, perhaps especially liberals,) have an arrogant view that all evil in the world is somehow a reflection of their own government's foreign policy failures, and other people around the world are some kind of child-like innocents who only need the right kind of leadership to be lead to peace and understanding.
None of the players in Syria want peace and understanding. They want to win at all costs. The only people who want peace are civilians with no say. I think it's high time American policy-makers learne tod accepted reality and stopped dabbling like dilettantes in Syria.
Americans (even liberals, perhaps especially liberals,) have an arrogant view that all evil in the world is somehow a reflection of their own government's foreign policy failures, and other people around the world are some kind of child-like innocents who only need the right kind of leadership to be lead to peace and understanding.
None of the players in Syria want peace and understanding. They want to win at all costs. The only people who want peace are civilians with no say. I think it's high time American policy-makers learne tod accepted reality and stopped dabbling like dilettantes in Syria.
5
Speaking of hubris and naivete, two terms coming up a lot in these comments, I recall a lot of optimistic claims (including a NYT op ed) that the Russian-backed chemical weapons agreement in Syria might be the beginning of a new era of cooperation in Syria, and possibly the beginning of the end of the civil war. Obama was lauded and victory was proclaimed.
Americans (even liberals, perhaps especially liberals,) have an arrogant view that all evil in the world is somehow a reflection of their own government's foreign policy failures, and other people around the world are some kind of child-like innocents who only need the right kind of leadership to be lead to peace and understanding.
None of the players in Syria want peace and understanding. They want to win at all costs. The only people who want peace are civilians with no say. I think it's high time American policy-makers learne tod accepted reality and stopped dabbling like dilettantes in Syria.
Americans (even liberals, perhaps especially liberals,) have an arrogant view that all evil in the world is somehow a reflection of their own government's foreign policy failures, and other people around the world are some kind of child-like innocents who only need the right kind of leadership to be lead to peace and understanding.
None of the players in Syria want peace and understanding. They want to win at all costs. The only people who want peace are civilians with no say. I think it's high time American policy-makers learne tod accepted reality and stopped dabbling like dilettantes in Syria.
7
I submit " most Americans" are more interested in the start of football season than Russian foreign policy meanuevers in Syria.
So Syria will be the next country to be taken by Russia. Who will stop them? Not us. Not while Obama is President. Putin is really doing everything he can to gain strength and territory while Obama is in office knowing full well Obama wont do anything to stop him.
6
So Syria will be the next country to be taken by Russia. Who will stop them? Not us. Not while Obama is President. Putin is really doing everything he can to gain strength and territory while Obama is in office knowing full well Obama wont do anything to stop him.
6
I am not a fan of Asad, but of all possible scenarios, the one I keep seeing as a viable solution, is to help the man regain his country.
As long as we keep training, financing and arming a bunch of so called freedom fighters, who turn around and give their weapons or outright defect to ISIS, we will continue to feed this beast. We need to stop that.
Russia meantime arms, trains and puts boots in the ground on the side of Asad, and they can regain that country, and end the bloodshed. Ideal? Maybe not, but effective it is.
This opportunity was ours to take, but we blew it. Someone else came in and took it. Let them win the day.
As long as we keep training, financing and arming a bunch of so called freedom fighters, who turn around and give their weapons or outright defect to ISIS, we will continue to feed this beast. We need to stop that.
Russia meantime arms, trains and puts boots in the ground on the side of Asad, and they can regain that country, and end the bloodshed. Ideal? Maybe not, but effective it is.
This opportunity was ours to take, but we blew it. Someone else came in and took it. Let them win the day.
9
We should have left all the middle eastern dictators in place. Those volatile people need an iron fist to keep their countries stable.
I am not a fan of Asad, but of all possible scenarios, the one I keep seeing as a viable solution, is to help the man regain his country.
As long as we keep training, financing and arming a bunch of so called freedom fighters, who turn around and give their weapons or outright defect to ISIS, we will continue to feed this beast. We need to stop that.
Russia meantime arms, trains and puts boots in the ground on the side of Asad, and they can regain that country, and end the bloodshed. Ideal? Maybe not, but effective it is.
This opportunity was ours to take, but we blew it. Someone else came in and took it. Let them win the day.
As long as we keep training, financing and arming a bunch of so called freedom fighters, who turn around and give their weapons or outright defect to ISIS, we will continue to feed this beast. We need to stop that.
Russia meantime arms, trains and puts boots in the ground on the side of Asad, and they can regain that country, and end the bloodshed. Ideal? Maybe not, but effective it is.
This opportunity was ours to take, but we blew it. Someone else came in and took it. Let them win the day.
11
We should have left all the middle eastern dictators in place. Those volatile people need an iron fist to keep their countries stable.
2
Based on what diktat the U.S. wants the Russians to follow its command?
4
Based on what diktat the U.S. wants the Russians to follow its command?
5
I welcome Russia to the Middle East theater. To date America has lost thousands of lives TRILLIONS of dollars in the M.E. This is money that could have been better spent of education, American roads, technology etc. The middle east will always be a money pit as long as Israel and America remain friends. Let Russia share some of the regional power, even if it means for them more warm water ports, the Levant gas fields and the Suez Canal. Let's get out of this pit, the sooner, the better.
12
I welcome Russia to the Middle East theater. To date America has lost thousands of lives TRILLIONS of dollars in the M.E. This is money that could have been better spent of education, American roads, technology etc. The middle east will always be a money pit as long as Israel and America remain friends. Let Russia share some of the regional power, even if it means for them more warm water ports, the Levant gas fields and the Suez Canal. Let's get out of this pit, the sooner, the better.
14
And what precisely is the United States going to do to stop them. BTW, did Obama and Kerry bother to consider that Russia is also Iran's ally? Iran's nuclear ambitions may be easy to monitor, but what will they do when Russia sends its own troops to protect Iranian nuclear sites, or when Assad gets a wild hair and decides to launch rockets at Israel?
4
And what precisely is the United States going to do to stop them. BTW, did Obama and Kerry bother to consider that Russia is also Iran's ally? Iran's nuclear ambitions may be easy to monitor, but what will they do when Russia sends its own troops to protect Iranian nuclear sites, or when Assad gets a wild hair and decides to launch rockets at Israel?
5
Since when does America get to dictate to other countries which countries they can fly over? Iran and Iraq are still sovereign states aren't they??
7
Since when does America get to dictate to other countries which countries they can fly over? Iran and Iraq are still sovereign states aren't they??
8
Since the US under Obama appears to have no coherent policy in the ME, it's a little hard to get worked up over this.
If the choice is between the lesser of two evils and the options are Assad or ISIS, I'll go with Assad. After all, didn't Hillary herself call him a reformer?
If the choice is between the lesser of two evils and the options are Assad or ISIS, I'll go with Assad. After all, didn't Hillary herself call him a reformer?
5
Since the US under Obama appears to have no coherent policy in the ME, it's a little hard to get worked up over this.
If the choice is between the lesser of two evils and the options are Assad or ISIS, I'll go with Assad. After all, didn't Hillary herself call him a reformer?
If the choice is between the lesser of two evils and the options are Assad or ISIS, I'll go with Assad. After all, didn't Hillary herself call him a reformer?
6
With the Middle East, the US is like a small child that just cannot stop fiddling with the controls of a complex machinery. Al Assad is a Russian and Iranian client who was killing his own citizens even before ISIS showed up, and ISIS is so violent and reactionary even Al Qaeda is against ISIS. Between these two factions are lesser Islamists and a very narrow sliver of moderates (probably extinct now.) All the players are loathsome and hostile to the US, so what's with the obsessive compulsion to back one side or another?
If there ever was a window for fruitful intervention in Syria, that window is gone. Why does the US have to back one side or another? How about the US do what every other Western power is doing: keep out of it and focus on our own defense. In the era of cyber attacks and suitcase nukes, getting involved in the quagmire that is Syria will not make the US any safer.
If there ever was a window for fruitful intervention in Syria, that window is gone. Why does the US have to back one side or another? How about the US do what every other Western power is doing: keep out of it and focus on our own defense. In the era of cyber attacks and suitcase nukes, getting involved in the quagmire that is Syria will not make the US any safer.
6
With the Middle East, the US is like a small child that just cannot stop fiddling with the controls of a complex machinery. Al Assad is a Russian and Iranian client who was killing his own citizens even before ISIS showed up, and ISIS is so violent and reactionary even Al Qaeda is against ISIS. Between these two factions are lesser Islamists and a very narrow sliver of moderates (probably extinct now.) All the players are loathsome and hostile to the US, so what's with the obsessive compulsion to back one side or another?
If there ever was a window for fruitful intervention in Syria, that window is gone. Why does the US have to back one side or another? How about the US do what every other Western power is doing: keep out of it and focus on our own defense. In the era of cyber attacks and suitcase nukes, getting involved in the quagmire that is Syria will not make the US any safer.
If there ever was a window for fruitful intervention in Syria, that window is gone. Why does the US have to back one side or another? How about the US do what every other Western power is doing: keep out of it and focus on our own defense. In the era of cyber attacks and suitcase nukes, getting involved in the quagmire that is Syria will not make the US any safer.
6
Does anyone honestly think that Putin will listen to Obama? Obama has proven time and again with his "red lines in the sand" that he doesn't have the courage to back up his rhetoric. The whole world knows this. It's a shame that we have become a paper tiger thanks to this corrupt administration.
5
Does anyone honestly think that Putin will listen to Obama? Obama has proven time and again with his "red lines in the sand" that he doesn't have the courage to back up his rhetoric. The whole world knows this. It's a shame that we have become a paper tiger thanks to this corrupt administration.
5
Does anyone really think Vladimir Putin cares one whit what Obama and the U.S. administration think about anything he does. The Russian bear is on the move and not about to stop until we get a Commander In Chief who actually thinks he should make a concerted attempt to stop him, whatever the means.
This is not about protecting Assad or the Syrian people. This is about creating another client state, by open force instead of stealth as in Ukraine, in the Middle East. Anyone who thinks Russia is there to fight against ISIS is delusional. Putin would side with ISIS if they would agree as long as he gets to project his power and influence. Next stop, whatever weaker Middle East state he can grab, hide and watch.
This is not about protecting Assad or the Syrian people. This is about creating another client state, by open force instead of stealth as in Ukraine, in the Middle East. Anyone who thinks Russia is there to fight against ISIS is delusional. Putin would side with ISIS if they would agree as long as he gets to project his power and influence. Next stop, whatever weaker Middle East state he can grab, hide and watch.
4
Does anyone really think Vladimir Putin cares one whit what Obama and the U.S. administration think about anything he does. The Russian bear is on the move and not about to stop until we get a Commander In Chief who actually thinks he should make a concerted attempt to stop him, whatever the means.
This is not about protecting Assad or the Syrian people. This is about creating another client state, by open force instead of stealth as in Ukraine, in the Middle East. Anyone who thinks Russia is there to fight against ISIS is delusional. Putin would side with ISIS if they would agree as long as he gets to project his power and influence. Next stop, whatever weaker Middle East state he can grab, hide and watch.
This is not about protecting Assad or the Syrian people. This is about creating another client state, by open force instead of stealth as in Ukraine, in the Middle East. Anyone who thinks Russia is there to fight against ISIS is delusional. Putin would side with ISIS if they would agree as long as he gets to project his power and influence. Next stop, whatever weaker Middle East state he can grab, hide and watch.
4
Who knew the 'Russian reset' meant a return to the 'cold war' days?
1
I guess he just "looked into Putin's eyes".
Who knew the 'Russian reset' meant a return to the 'cold war' days?
1
I guess he just "looked into Putin's eyes".
Just who does America think it is that it is OK for us to provide weapons to the side we support and then tell Russia that they can not arm the side they support. Typical of Amercia, tell everyone else what they can and can not do only with Russia we have a country with the military might to call our bluff or if push comes to shove, fight back. We kill people with our drones and expect them to just sit there and not fight back ant way they can. The only difference between a drone attack and a car bomb is who sides sets it off, both kill only the delivery system is different. Wake up America.
4
Just who does America think it is that it is OK for us to provide weapons to the side we support and then tell Russia that they can not arm the side they support. Typical of Amercia, tell everyone else what they can and can not do only with Russia we have a country with the military might to call our bluff or if push comes to shove, fight back. We kill people with our drones and expect them to just sit there and not fight back ant way they can. The only difference between a drone attack and a car bomb is who sides sets it off, both kill only the delivery system is different. Wake up America.
6
This is a perfect example of why Obama's strategy (if it can be called that) in Syria is doomed to failure. The Al Assad Government and ISIS are the two most powerful factions in the Syrian Civil War, but Obama wants to be against both. Yet, none of the other players in the region want this path. If the enemy of my enemy is my friend, why should Iraq or Iran oppose Russia's supply flights to Syria?
I can certainly understand the principle behind it. Both Al Assad and ISIS are loathsome. But the idea that the US can oppose both and back some third power in Syria to victory seems completely disconnected from reality.
This is a situation where the US cannot make a principled intervention that actually works. So the US should keep out of Syria, except maybe for whatever humanitarian aid might be possible for civilians under the circumstances.
I can certainly understand the principle behind it. Both Al Assad and ISIS are loathsome. But the idea that the US can oppose both and back some third power in Syria to victory seems completely disconnected from reality.
This is a situation where the US cannot make a principled intervention that actually works. So the US should keep out of Syria, except maybe for whatever humanitarian aid might be possible for civilians under the circumstances.
3
Ancient colonial martial art style called "Sitting on Hands" comes to mind.
This is a perfect example of why Obama's strategy (if it can be called that) in Syria is doomed to failure. The Al Assad Government and ISIS are the two most powerful factions in the Syrian Civil War, but Obama wants to be against both. Yet, none of the other players in the region want this path. If the enemy of my enemy is my friend, why should Iraq or Iran oppose Russia's supply flights to Syria?
I can certainly understand the principle behind it. Both Al Assad and ISIS are loathsome. But the idea that the US can oppose both and back some third power in Syria to victory seems completely disconnected from reality.
This is a situation where the US cannot make a principled intervention that actually works. So the US should keep out of Syria, except maybe for whatever humanitarian aid might be possible for civilians under the circumstances.
I can certainly understand the principle behind it. Both Al Assad and ISIS are loathsome. But the idea that the US can oppose both and back some third power in Syria to victory seems completely disconnected from reality.
This is a situation where the US cannot make a principled intervention that actually works. So the US should keep out of Syria, except maybe for whatever humanitarian aid might be possible for civilians under the circumstances.
4
Ancient colonial martial art style called "Sitting on Hands" comes to mind.
Our policy in the Middle East is marked by hypocrisy and naivete. We want the brutal Sadam Hussein out and fight a proxy war against the brutal Assad, only to confront the Sunni-inspired ISIS, a monstrous organization philosophically linked to the Wahabi sect in Saudi Arabia. Forget anymore idealism over there; W was so over his head on this, we need to get stability anyway we can, and in the long run the Middle East will be better off with an Iranian axis than Saudi. Whatever Islamic moderates exist in the Middle East, they are more likely to be aligned with the Shiites. My biggest concern with Russia is that our squawking over this matter makes Putin think he is achieving something over our objections, and further emboldens him.
4
The US doesn't know how to separate church and state in international relations either.
2
Our policy in the Middle East is marked by hypocrisy and naivete. We want the brutal Sadam Hussein out and fight a proxy war against the brutal Assad, only to confront the Sunni-inspired ISIS, a monstrous organization philosophically linked to the Wahabi sect in Saudi Arabia. Forget anymore idealism over there; W was so over his head on this, we need to get stability anyway we can, and in the long run the Middle East will be better off with an Iranian axis than Saudi. Whatever Islamic moderates exist in the Middle East, they are more likely to be aligned with the Shiites. My biggest concern with Russia is that our squawking over this matter makes Putin think he is achieving something over our objections, and further emboldens him.
5
The US doesn't know how to separate church and state in international relations either.
3
Assad appears less worse than IS. Russia was correct about the folly of Iraq, Libya, invasions, and was correct to stand beside Assad to prevent instability. They are willing to fight IS to a certain extent, or at least support Syria fighting IS. The question now becomes, with an overwhelming Syrian Army pitted against an IS that outnumbers the relatively few pro-Western Assad resistance groups, what do we (the USA) do about our allies in Syria? Will we abandon our allies-again- like we did in Viet Nam and Iraq? It is time to plan for their evacuation and relocation to the USA without further loss to them.
3
Assad appears less worse than IS. Russia was correct about the folly of Iraq, Libya, invasions, and was correct to stand beside Assad to prevent instability. They are willing to fight IS to a certain extent, or at least support Syria fighting IS. The question now becomes, with an overwhelming Syrian Army pitted against an IS that outnumbers the relatively few pro-Western Assad resistance groups, what do we (the USA) do about our allies in Syria? Will we abandon our allies-again- like we did in Viet Nam and Iraq? It is time to plan for their evacuation and relocation to the USA without further loss to them.
3
But under Obama the world was going to respect us so much more. The world is now thumbing its nose at us. I don't want to beat a dead horse, but under Obama our enemies don't fear us, our allies don't trust us, and nobody respects us.
5
That's true, but that long road downward started long before Obama took office.
2
The Russians would not be flying over Iraq if Bush/Cheney were still in office, or even if Romney was in office. And Iraq would still be a democracy and ISIS would not be there. Obama literally snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
But under Obama the world was going to respect us so much more. The world is now thumbing its nose at us. I don't want to beat a dead horse, but under Obama our enemies don't fear us, our allies don't trust us, and nobody respects us.
6
That's true, but that long road downward started long before Obama took office.
2
The Russians would not be flying over Iraq if Bush/Cheney were still in office, or even if Romney was in office. And Iraq would still be a democracy and ISIS would not be there. Obama literally snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
@William-Where have you been reading that news? al-Malaki did not come about through democracy, but through accusations of voter fraud and suppressed Sunni minorities. Iraq has not been considered "stable" since Saddam's rule. We were wasting billions of dollars a month in Iraq and losing American Military members daily for a seemingly worthless reason. In addition, the pullout day was signed by Bush, and only carried out by Obama. We are losing Syria to Isis because of an irrational Iranian/ Russian phobia and Israeliphilia.
We ought to rethink our ME posture, regardless of poor relations with Russia. Toppling dictators in the ME has been vast blunder. We saw the allegedly democratic Arab spring. It unravelled immediately into something worse than dictatorships - brutal Dark Ages theocracy. Look to our own heritage in the West, the Enlightenment and the American and French Revolutions. Theocracy is our one historic enemy, the enemy of democracy, of reason and of all basic human freedoms. It is difficult for us to concede that a brutal theocratic mindset can still exist, but if that is the result of democracy in certain countries, then dictators are preferable. We cannot go "nation building" again - a huge failure - see Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Russians are one of the few truly capable nations on earth. They have a real military (not like the paper Army of Germany) and effective, goal-directed government (not like confused, blunder Angel Merkel and the EU). We can accommodate Russia and its alignment with Assad and Iran long enough to defeat ISL. We have to. Look at Europe today.
The Russians are one of the few truly capable nations on earth. They have a real military (not like the paper Army of Germany) and effective, goal-directed government (not like confused, blunder Angel Merkel and the EU). We can accommodate Russia and its alignment with Assad and Iran long enough to defeat ISL. We have to. Look at Europe today.
15
I don't think Afghanistan can yet be considered a failure. If it succeeds, it will be in spite of the Iraq invasion drawing away attention and resources from Afghanistan. For now, Afghans are the ones on the front lines, hunting down and engaging the Taliban. For now, the Afghan government has had the wisdom to work out an arrangement with us for continued support. For their first post-Karzai election, which was hotly and closely contested, they did not break into civil war, but came to a negotiated compromise. I am still holding out hope for Afghanistan.
We ought to rethink our ME posture, regardless of poor relations with Russia. Toppling dictators in the ME has been vast blunder. We saw the allegedly democratic Arab spring. It unravelled immediately into something worse than dictatorships - brutal Dark Ages theocracy. Look to our own heritage in the West, the Enlightenment and the American and French Revolutions. Theocracy is our one historic enemy, the enemy of democracy, of reason and of all basic human freedoms. It is difficult for us to concede that a brutal theocratic mindset can still exist, but if that is the result of democracy in certain countries, then dictators are preferable. We cannot go "nation building" again - a huge failure - see Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Russians are one of the few truly capable nations on earth. They have a real military (not like the paper Army of Germany) and effective, goal-directed government (not like confused, blunder Angel Merkel and the EU). We can accommodate Russia and its alignment with Assad and Iran long enough to defeat ISL. We have to. Look at Europe today.
The Russians are one of the few truly capable nations on earth. They have a real military (not like the paper Army of Germany) and effective, goal-directed government (not like confused, blunder Angel Merkel and the EU). We can accommodate Russia and its alignment with Assad and Iran long enough to defeat ISL. We have to. Look at Europe today.
20
I don't think Afghanistan can yet be considered a failure. If it succeeds, it will be in spite of the Iraq invasion drawing away attention and resources from Afghanistan. For now, Afghans are the ones on the front lines, hunting down and engaging the Taliban. For now, the Afghan government has had the wisdom to work out an arrangement with us for continued support. For their first post-Karzai election, which was hotly and closely contested, they did not break into civil war, but came to a negotiated compromise. I am still holding out hope for Afghanistan.
Yes Putin and Russia have interests in Syria, but on the whole they couldn't care less except for the fact that it creates exactly this type of a response from the U.S. However, lets all think hard for a moment, who in the EU is a buddy buddy of Vlad, you guessed it! Miss Merkel. Maybe, just maybe I'm thinking too deeply into this but I have a feeling that there was outreach from the EU knowing exactly what they (Germany primarily) are facing with this migrant crisis. Putin is smart enough to comply without question, he knows how to get them in his debt. Hey, good for him, obviously the tangled web America has weaved in the ME has finally become a knot.
3
Yes Putin and Russia have interests in Syria, but on the whole they couldn't care less except for the fact that it creates exactly this type of a response from the U.S. However, lets all think hard for a moment, who in the EU is a buddy buddy of Vlad, you guessed it! Miss Merkel. Maybe, just maybe I'm thinking too deeply into this but I have a feeling that there was outreach from the EU knowing exactly what they (Germany primarily) are facing with this migrant crisis. Putin is smart enough to comply without question, he knows how to get them in his debt. Hey, good for him, obviously the tangled web America has weaved in the ME has finally become a knot.
3
We gave away the store when we inked the deal with Iran, and are now surprised that Russia views us as nothing more than a paper tiger. The Ukrainians gave up their nuclear deterrent relying on our word and then let the Russians move into the Crimea with nothing more than an admonition. Now we have sold the Kurds down the river by inking the deal with Turkey. Is anyone surprised that the Obama Legacy will result in a new Caliphate, and another war as we kick the can down the road.
4
We gave away the store when we inked the deal with Iran, and are now surprised that Russia views us as nothing more than a paper tiger. The Ukrainians gave up their nuclear deterrent relying on our word and then let the Russians move into the Crimea with nothing more than an admonition. Now we have sold the Kurds down the river by inking the deal with Turkey. Is anyone surprised that the Obama Legacy will result in a new Caliphate, and another war as we kick the can down the road.
4
Let's try and keep things in perspective. The Neocons made Iran (Shiite) stronger by lying us into a war to rid Saddam (Sunni), then they doubled down, fired Iraq's military who became Isis. Of course the crowning jewel in this crown of disaster was appointing the Shiite extremist, Malaki Prime Minister who lived in exile---in Iran for dozens of years. Oh the horror indeed.
This is a religious civil war, Shiite v. Sunni. America's "allies" Pakistan (Sunni) support the Taliban and the Saudis (Sunni) support Isis. The fact America seed funded the precursor to Al Qaeda/Taliban, and gave rise to Isis, reveals that the system dynamics of our cultural ignorance far exceeds our ability to impose our vision on these societies. Saudi Arabia is not our friend, nor is Iran, nor is Pakistan--as for Iraq do we even need to ask?
It is amazing the level of brinkmanship in which we engage with Iran, yet for the allies of Isis (Saudi Arabia/Pakistan) who provide substantive support: arms, personnel, and money----glaring silence. America better prioritize its enemies, which in this instance is Isis---and their allies. Note Syria is not invading Iraq nor talking about establishing a caliphate.
This is a religious civil war, Shiite v. Sunni. America's "allies" Pakistan (Sunni) support the Taliban and the Saudis (Sunni) support Isis. The fact America seed funded the precursor to Al Qaeda/Taliban, and gave rise to Isis, reveals that the system dynamics of our cultural ignorance far exceeds our ability to impose our vision on these societies. Saudi Arabia is not our friend, nor is Iran, nor is Pakistan--as for Iraq do we even need to ask?
It is amazing the level of brinkmanship in which we engage with Iran, yet for the allies of Isis (Saudi Arabia/Pakistan) who provide substantive support: arms, personnel, and money----glaring silence. America better prioritize its enemies, which in this instance is Isis---and their allies. Note Syria is not invading Iraq nor talking about establishing a caliphate.
7
I agree completely with your analysis. In an informative article in the Atlantic in 2007 Seymour Hersh reported on "Redirection" by Bush/ Cheney. He pointed out "To undermine Iran, which is predominantly Shiite, the Bush Administration has decided, in effect, to reconfigure its priorities in the Middle East. In Lebanon, the Administration has coöperated with Saudi Arabia’s government, which is Sunni, in clandestine operations that are intended to weaken Hezbollah, the Shiite organization that is backed by Iran. The U.S. has also taken part in clandestine operations aimed at Iran and its ally Syria. A by-product of these activities has been the bolstering of Sunni extremist groups that espouse a militant vision of Islam and are hostile to America and sympathetic to Al Qaeda."
1
Let's try and keep things in perspective. The Neocons made Iran (Shiite) stronger by lying us into a war to rid Saddam (Sunni), then they doubled down, fired Iraq's military who became Isis. Of course the crowning jewel in this crown of disaster was appointing the Shiite extremist, Malaki Prime Minister who lived in exile---in Iran for dozens of years. Oh the horror indeed.
This is a religious civil war, Shiite v. Sunni. America's "allies" Pakistan (Sunni) support the Taliban and the Saudis (Sunni) support Isis. The fact America seed funded the precursor to Al Qaeda/Taliban, and gave rise to Isis, reveals that the system dynamics of our cultural ignorance far exceeds our ability to impose our vision on these societies. Saudi Arabia is not our friend, nor is Iran, nor is Pakistan--as for Iraq do we even need to ask?
It is amazing the level of brinkmanship in which we engage with Iran, yet for the allies of Isis (Saudi Arabia/Pakistan) who provide substantive support: arms, personnel, and money----glaring silence. America better prioritize its enemies, which in this instance is Isis---and their allies. Note Syria is not invading Iraq nor talking about establishing a caliphate.
This is a religious civil war, Shiite v. Sunni. America's "allies" Pakistan (Sunni) support the Taliban and the Saudis (Sunni) support Isis. The fact America seed funded the precursor to Al Qaeda/Taliban, and gave rise to Isis, reveals that the system dynamics of our cultural ignorance far exceeds our ability to impose our vision on these societies. Saudi Arabia is not our friend, nor is Iran, nor is Pakistan--as for Iraq do we even need to ask?
It is amazing the level of brinkmanship in which we engage with Iran, yet for the allies of Isis (Saudi Arabia/Pakistan) who provide substantive support: arms, personnel, and money----glaring silence. America better prioritize its enemies, which in this instance is Isis---and their allies. Note Syria is not invading Iraq nor talking about establishing a caliphate.
9
I agree completely with your analysis. In an informative article in the Atlantic in 2007 Seymour Hersh reported on "Redirection" by Bush/ Cheney. He pointed out "To undermine Iran, which is predominantly Shiite, the Bush Administration has decided, in effect, to reconfigure its priorities in the Middle East. In Lebanon, the Administration has coöperated with Saudi Arabia’s government, which is Sunni, in clandestine operations that are intended to weaken Hezbollah, the Shiite organization that is backed by Iran. The U.S. has also taken part in clandestine operations aimed at Iran and its ally Syria. A by-product of these activities has been the bolstering of Sunni extremist groups that espouse a militant vision of Islam and are hostile to America and sympathetic to Al Qaeda."
1
With due respect to people who have commented on the growing Russian activities in Syria, I must say all are failing to recognize one most significant fact. If Russia succeeds, for the first time in its long history, in establishing a strong viable military base in the eastern Mediterranean it would have succeeded in establishing its hegemony over Western Europe and the Middle East resources.
We have to recognize this fact and recognize that now we cannot escape from recognizing that U.S. national interest is now at stake.
The Syrian ruling government does not care what such development would create in geopolitics so long they are being supported by Russia. It is us that must recognize the serious nature of what is taking place and must respond accordingly before new conditions become de facto events.
We have to recognize this fact and recognize that now we cannot escape from recognizing that U.S. national interest is now at stake.
The Syrian ruling government does not care what such development would create in geopolitics so long they are being supported by Russia. It is us that must recognize the serious nature of what is taking place and must respond accordingly before new conditions become de facto events.
1
With due respect to people who have commented on the growing Russian activities in Syria, I must say all are failing to recognize one most significant fact. If Russia succeeds, for the first time in its long history, in establishing a strong viable military base in the eastern Mediterranean it would have succeeded in establishing its hegemony over Western Europe and the Middle East resources.
We have to recognize this fact and recognize that now we cannot escape from recognizing that U.S. national interest is now at stake.
The Syrian ruling government does not care what such development would create in geopolitics so long they are being supported by Russia. It is us that must recognize the serious nature of what is taking place and must respond accordingly before new conditions become de facto events.
We have to recognize this fact and recognize that now we cannot escape from recognizing that U.S. national interest is now at stake.
The Syrian ruling government does not care what such development would create in geopolitics so long they are being supported by Russia. It is us that must recognize the serious nature of what is taking place and must respond accordingly before new conditions become de facto events.
1
There is little we can do with Iran, but with Iraq we should simply tell the Iraqi government that they can choose between Russian shipments to Syria, or US bombing raids and air support against ISIS.
Assuming the Russians cannot do bombing runs?
They can, and do.
And people here would be happy that no more tax dollars are being spent in yet another lost cause.
They can, and do.
And people here would be happy that no more tax dollars are being spent in yet another lost cause.
There is little we can do with Iran, but with Iraq we should simply tell the Iraqi government that they can choose between Russian shipments to Syria, or US bombing raids and air support against ISIS.
Assuming the Russians cannot do bombing runs?
They can, and do.
And people here would be happy that no more tax dollars are being spent in yet another lost cause.
They can, and do.
And people here would be happy that no more tax dollars are being spent in yet another lost cause.
If Russia wants to put their soldiers in harms way to fight ISIS etc. I say good. Let them spend their energy and money doing this, better them than us. Also, whatever we've been doing over there to fight ISIS and Assad clearly isn't working and at the end of the day if one must choose, which appears to be the case, I'd rather have someone like Assad in power than ISIS any day of the week. Please don't think there is some sort of moderate opposition to Assad that is effective because there simply isn't.
5
Assad called the bluff of of juveniles who believed democracy is just something that can be conjured.
3
Lesser of two evils? When you play with the Devil, guess who will always win?
If Russia wants to put their soldiers in harms way to fight ISIS etc. I say good. Let them spend their energy and money doing this, better them than us. Also, whatever we've been doing over there to fight ISIS and Assad clearly isn't working and at the end of the day if one must choose, which appears to be the case, I'd rather have someone like Assad in power than ISIS any day of the week. Please don't think there is some sort of moderate opposition to Assad that is effective because there simply isn't.
6
Assad called the bluff of of juveniles who believed democracy is just something that can be conjured.
4
Lesser of two evils? When you play with the Devil, guess who will always win?
I'm not sure what the point is in attempting to hamper the Russians supplying the Syrians. While Assad is a brutal dictator, he's still better than the alternative, which is ISIS. We won't be able to stop the flow of arms from Russia to Syria anyway, and our attempts only fail and make us look impotent. We shouldn't interfere with the Russians' involvement in Syria. I disagree with Stephen Blank, who is quoted in the article. This will not enhance Russia's influence in the Levant. What it will do, is get them more deeply embroiled in the quicksand that is today's Middle East. Let the Russians shoulder more of the burden in fighting fundamentalist islamic insurgents. Let them squander their resources. Let them become the target, and replace the U.S. as the "great satan". In the process, two of our adversaries, ISIS and Russia, will weaken themselves as they fight each other.
6
I'm not sure what the point is in attempting to hamper the Russians supplying the Syrians. While Assad is a brutal dictator, he's still better than the alternative, which is ISIS. We won't be able to stop the flow of arms from Russia to Syria anyway, and our attempts only fail and make us look impotent. We shouldn't interfere with the Russians' involvement in Syria. I disagree with Stephen Blank, who is quoted in the article. This will not enhance Russia's influence in the Levant. What it will do, is get them more deeply embroiled in the quicksand that is today's Middle East. Let the Russians shoulder more of the burden in fighting fundamentalist islamic insurgents. Let them squander their resources. Let them become the target, and replace the U.S. as the "great satan". In the process, two of our adversaries, ISIS and Russia, will weaken themselves as they fight each other.
7
We were against Saddam Hussein too. And we were wrong about that. We were against Qaddafi too. And we were wrong about that as well. We failed to thing about the worse gangsters who lurk. Contrary to our American myths, democracy does not simply lurk behind every dictator, waiting to "come out."
7
Libya was probably lose-lose situation because Qaddafi's militia was poised to cause his political enemies to swarm to Europe too.
We were against Saddam Hussein too. And we were wrong about that. We were against Qaddafi too. And we were wrong about that as well. We failed to thing about the worse gangsters who lurk. Contrary to our American myths, democracy does not simply lurk behind every dictator, waiting to "come out."
7
Libya was probably lose-lose situation because Qaddafi's militia was poised to cause his political enemies to swarm to Europe too.
U.S. to Russia: "Do as I say, not as I do".
11
U.S. to Russia: "Do as I say, not as I do".
13
After reading through all the comments, not a single mention of Ukraine or Russia's history of foreign policy. As nice as it is to say let them help resolve the crisis, the long term implications of having a strong Russian influence in the Middle East is far too dangerous and poses a serious stability threat to our Middle Eastern allies. Its obvious most everyone has not been to a communist state or understand the firsthand issues that come with Russian foreign policy. If you want to look at how Russia handles foreign policy, just take one good look at Ukraine. War, violence, and bloodshed all from the hands of a Russian supported rebel groups. That sounds like a very diplomatic process to me.
Also, if the region does change to favor Russian policy over US policy, how do you think that will effect oil prices, FDI, and our economic partnerships?
Also, if the region does change to favor Russian policy over US policy, how do you think that will effect oil prices, FDI, and our economic partnerships?
3
I've seen communism in its terminal stages in the USSR in 1976 and in Cuba in 2002. It isn't sufficiently creative to evolve.
1
"...poses a threat to our Middle East allies.." Are you talking about Saudi Arabia or Kuwait? Be explicit. Name these allies and please don't include Isarel. Also regarding your last sentence, don't you think it is time to conduct foreign policy without taking into account oil prices? We have had enough with ex-Halliburton executives running this country.
4
After reading through all the comments, not a single mention of Ukraine or Russia's history of foreign policy. As nice as it is to say let them help resolve the crisis, the long term implications of having a strong Russian influence in the Middle East is far too dangerous and poses a serious stability threat to our Middle Eastern allies. Its obvious most everyone has not been to a communist state or understand the firsthand issues that come with Russian foreign policy. If you want to look at how Russia handles foreign policy, just take one good look at Ukraine. War, violence, and bloodshed all from the hands of a Russian supported rebel groups. That sounds like a very diplomatic process to me.
Also, if the region does change to favor Russian policy over US policy, how do you think that will effect oil prices, FDI, and our economic partnerships?
Also, if the region does change to favor Russian policy over US policy, how do you think that will effect oil prices, FDI, and our economic partnerships?
3
I've seen communism in its terminal stages in the USSR in 1976 and in Cuba in 2002. It isn't sufficiently creative to evolve.
1
"...poses a threat to our Middle East allies.." Are you talking about Saudi Arabia or Kuwait? Be explicit. Name these allies and please don't include Isarel. Also regarding your last sentence, don't you think it is time to conduct foreign policy without taking into account oil prices? We have had enough with ex-Halliburton executives running this country.
4
Daesh is horrible and it has somehow managed to make the public believe it is the West's greatest enemy. In reality, the only harm Daesh has done to the West is executing a few hostages. In contrast, Assad's Syria has been one of the sponsors of terror for decades and even played a role in destabilizing Iraq after US invasion.
Putin's Russia occupied and destroyed 1/3 of Ukraine. After ensuring that country will never be strong again, it has turned to Syria. To get an idea, just compare Afghanistan before and after Russian intervention to see how Russians "saved" that country.
Both Assad and Putin wear ties and suits and talk like they belong with the rest of the civilized world. They don't.
Putin's Russia occupied and destroyed 1/3 of Ukraine. After ensuring that country will never be strong again, it has turned to Syria. To get an idea, just compare Afghanistan before and after Russian intervention to see how Russians "saved" that country.
Both Assad and Putin wear ties and suits and talk like they belong with the rest of the civilized world. They don't.
11
The US invasion of Iraq swamped Syria in Iraqi refugees.
3
ISIS makes Asad look like a prescholer.
1/3 of Ukraine? nope. Not even close.
1/3 of Ukraine? nope. Not even close.
Daesh is horrible and it has somehow managed to make the public believe it is the West's greatest enemy. In reality, the only harm Daesh has done to the West is executing a few hostages. In contrast, Assad's Syria has been one of the sponsors of terror for decades and even played a role in destabilizing Iraq after US invasion.
Putin's Russia occupied and destroyed 1/3 of Ukraine. After ensuring that country will never be strong again, it has turned to Syria. To get an idea, just compare Afghanistan before and after Russian intervention to see how Russians "saved" that country.
Both Assad and Putin wear ties and suits and talk like they belong with the rest of the civilized world. They don't.
Putin's Russia occupied and destroyed 1/3 of Ukraine. After ensuring that country will never be strong again, it has turned to Syria. To get an idea, just compare Afghanistan before and after Russian intervention to see how Russians "saved" that country.
Both Assad and Putin wear ties and suits and talk like they belong with the rest of the civilized world. They don't.
22
The US invasion of Iraq swamped Syria in Iraqi refugees.
3
ISIS makes Asad look like a prescholer.
1/3 of Ukraine? nope. Not even close.
1/3 of Ukraine? nope. Not even close.
Utter nonsense!
"...only harm Daesh has done to the West is executing a few hostages."!
You clearly either have no idea about this subject or are a key Saudi Arabia mouthpiece!
There is no greater risk to the ME and Europe than Isis, followed by Saudi Arabia that is still supporting and funding them!
"...only harm Daesh has done to the West is executing a few hostages."!
You clearly either have no idea about this subject or are a key Saudi Arabia mouthpiece!
There is no greater risk to the ME and Europe than Isis, followed by Saudi Arabia that is still supporting and funding them!
I'm confused. We've been told for months the fight against ISIL is going well. Now we hear that may not be true. We were told George Bush was the problem, not Russia or Putin, and that with him gone relations with Russia would be wonderful again. Now we read they are strained, and getting worse by the day.
Can someone explain what is going on. It would seem that the "Obama is a great world leader" narrative is crumbling before our eyes. Who will take responsibility for the millions of lives displaced and tens of thousands murdered, all while the western liberal elite was supporting this narrative? We've taken our foot off the gas pedal and are getting run over. How many people will have to suffer and die before America starts driving again?
Can someone explain what is going on. It would seem that the "Obama is a great world leader" narrative is crumbling before our eyes. Who will take responsibility for the millions of lives displaced and tens of thousands murdered, all while the western liberal elite was supporting this narrative? We've taken our foot off the gas pedal and are getting run over. How many people will have to suffer and die before America starts driving again?
6
Ask Syria refugees to choose between ISIS and Assad and they will say "neither." Force them to make the choice and they will take Assad without hesitation.
3
Still trying to figure out how large submarine with 200 nuclear warheads is going to address the security issue in Syria. There's more to this than meets the eye.
1
No doubt there are US nuclear armed submarines equipped with conventional cruise missiles in the region too.
A ballistic missile submarine with 168 x W88 nuclear warheads is much more than needed to completely destroy Iran, ISIS and most of the Middle East as well. That should be more than enough to make Syria secure from its enemies.
1
Our nation's foreign policy and status in the world has become a bad joke. This administration cannot leave soon enough.
8
Obama is upset....no one cares.
9
I'm so glad the NY Times and the State Department have teamed up to provide hilarity. "Russian Flights Over Iraq and Iran Escalate Tension" is a fine example of blaming Russia for escalation when it is the US which has been pushing up the heat in the world. From Iraq to Syria to Afghanistan to Yemen, it was the US that started bombing everything. Where in the world is Russia dropping ordinance? Answer - nowhere. No, not in Ukraine, not in Crimea, not in Abkhazia, Transnistria, or Ossetia. As much as we paint the Kremlin as the villain, military moves ascribed to Russia are pure projection on our part. Putin is smart enough to have learned that war is only a last resort. We should be so lucky.
8
Ah, you've already forgot about the commercial airliner Russia shot down in Ukraine and the active roll they are playing to take over the country. True, they didn't have to fire a shot to annex Crimea, they just showed up with an overwhelming force and then STAYED!
1
Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon are more powerful than the Saudis and their pipsqueaks in the GCC. For the deal with Iran we allowed the Saudis, and their friends. carte blanche in invading and murdering Yemenis, while destroying their country.
The fact is that the Saudis is in their last hoorah. The Shia will have more real power in the ME than the Sunnis. We need to get use to it.
Add Russia to the mix and I can see why the US is concerned. We created that vacuum and now the players are playing the game.
The fact is that the Saudis is in their last hoorah. The Shia will have more real power in the ME than the Sunnis. We need to get use to it.
Add Russia to the mix and I can see why the US is concerned. We created that vacuum and now the players are playing the game.
Russia under Putin cannot and should not be trusted.
Putin wants Russia to recover its lost "glory".
He will resort to any means to achieve his goal.
Putin wants Russia to recover its lost "glory".
He will resort to any means to achieve his goal.
1
"Russia under Putin cannot and should not be trusted.
Putin wants Russia to recover its lost "glory".
The USA under our Dear Leader Obama should not be trusted, he will do anything for the sake of his "legacy".
Putin wants Russia to recover its lost "glory".
The USA under our Dear Leader Obama should not be trusted, he will do anything for the sake of his "legacy".
5
Not so long ago you, with your blatant disrespect and questionable allegiance to the United States of America, would be tried for treason questioning the trustworthiness of the President in matters of war/peace.
Unfortunately, Obama wants his legacy to be that of a peaceful lamb by appeasing dictators and coming out on the losing side of many a fight. I am a pacifistic, but I also understand the need for strength.
This course of events makes it amply clear that for the great powers, the Syrian battleground is not ISIS vs modernity but Sunni axis vs Shia axis. Washington's main interest is to dislodge Assad and replace him with a Sunni-led regime that will make detente with Israel and join Saudi Arabia and the gulf states in their power play against Iran, while simultaneously denying Russia a foothold in the Mediterranean. Tehran's main interest is in sustaining Assad as a bulwark against Sunni power. Tel Aviv wants to remove Assad and weaken Syria so that they can choke off the Iranian supply corridor to Hezbollah and other Iranian clients fighting Israel. Finally, Moscow's main interest is in creating a sphere of influence around its borders by dividing the Euro-American axis. They see the Syrian war as a theater where Washington's primary interest (defeating Shia axis) is different from Europe's (ending the war and stemming the refugee tide). They can exploit this divergence by supporting Assad and preventing the US from defeating Assad through the "moderate" rebels, thus hoping to split the European Union opinion and exploit that in Ukraine. I predict that both sides will continue to escalate support to their proxies in the short-term. In the medium term, there will be some accommodation between Russia/Iran and US/Arabs/Israel to likely split Syria into different zones of influence. The refugees, of course, are of no one's concern as long as they don't show up on one's doorstep.
If the Russians want to get bogged down in Syria for Assad or whatever, the Administration is right to warn him as long as it remembers that you can't stop stupid. There's a bit of it in all of us from time to time. Right now Putin's gang is apparently plagued with it.
'that you can't stop stupid'
This is Washington, they are all stupid. And they are not stopping.
This is Washington, they are all stupid. And they are not stopping.
Russians want to be ruled with an iron fist.
Putin's shenanigans play well to the Russian public's hunger for a strong, militaristic dictator, and thus help keep him in power.
Putin's shenanigans play well to the Russian public's hunger for a strong, militaristic dictator, and thus help keep him in power.
2
When the Berlin Wall fell and the USSR was dissolved, we were all ecstatic. When Nixon opened China to trade with the West, we were hopeful. When the USA armed the mujahideen in Afghanistan to fight the Russians, we swelled with patriotic pride. Just three reminders to be careful of what you wish for. Looking back over the past 40 years or so, it seems to me that the world was actually a safer and more stable place before all our hopes were realized. To paraphrase the late Pat Moynihan, maybe benign neglect would be the best policy at this point. Just get out of all political and military entanglements in the ME now and let the Sunni-Shia civil war play out.
3
That would be fine except that Obama has sanctioned Nuclear weapons for M.E. countries with his agreement. We're not immune from the use of such weapons by turning our heads.
Obama has shown to be a weak President. Russia will do as they please knowing Obama will make meaningless statements and do nothing. It does appear that Obama can figure out what to do with Syria but won't sign on with Russia even if it is to beat IsiS
8
I'm confused. We've been told for months the fight against ISIL is going well. Now we hear that may not be true. We were told George Bush was the problem, not Russia or Putin, and that with him gone relations with Russia would be wonderful again. Now we read they are strained, and getting worse by the day.
Can someone explain what is going on. It would seem that the "Obama is a great world leader" narrative is crumbling before our eyes. Who will take responsibility for the millions of lives displaced and tens of thousands murdered, all while the western liberal elite was supporting this narrative? We've taken our foot off the gas pedal and are getting run over. How many people will have to suffer and die before America starts driving again?
Can someone explain what is going on. It would seem that the "Obama is a great world leader" narrative is crumbling before our eyes. Who will take responsibility for the millions of lives displaced and tens of thousands murdered, all while the western liberal elite was supporting this narrative? We've taken our foot off the gas pedal and are getting run over. How many people will have to suffer and die before America starts driving again?
6
Ask Syria refugees to choose between ISIS and Assad and they will say "neither." Force them to make the choice and they will take Assad without hesitation.
3
Still trying to figure out how large submarine with 200 nuclear warheads is going to address the security issue in Syria. There's more to this than meets the eye.
1
No doubt there are US nuclear armed submarines equipped with conventional cruise missiles in the region too.
A ballistic missile submarine with 168 x W88 nuclear warheads is much more than needed to completely destroy Iran, ISIS and most of the Middle East as well. That should be more than enough to make Syria secure from its enemies.
1
Our nation's foreign policy and status in the world has become a bad joke. This administration cannot leave soon enough.
8
Obama is upset....no one cares.
11
I'm so glad the NY Times and the State Department have teamed up to provide hilarity. "Russian Flights Over Iraq and Iran Escalate Tension" is a fine example of blaming Russia for escalation when it is the US which has been pushing up the heat in the world. From Iraq to Syria to Afghanistan to Yemen, it was the US that started bombing everything. Where in the world is Russia dropping ordinance? Answer - nowhere. No, not in Ukraine, not in Crimea, not in Abkhazia, Transnistria, or Ossetia. As much as we paint the Kremlin as the villain, military moves ascribed to Russia are pure projection on our part. Putin is smart enough to have learned that war is only a last resort. We should be so lucky.
8
Ah, you've already forgot about the commercial airliner Russia shot down in Ukraine and the active roll they are playing to take over the country. True, they didn't have to fire a shot to annex Crimea, they just showed up with an overwhelming force and then STAYED!
1
Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon are more powerful than the Saudis and their pipsqueaks in the GCC. For the deal with Iran we allowed the Saudis, and their friends. carte blanche in invading and murdering Yemenis, while destroying their country.
The fact is that the Saudis is in their last hoorah. The Shia will have more real power in the ME than the Sunnis. We need to get use to it.
Add Russia to the mix and I can see why the US is concerned. We created that vacuum and now the players are playing the game.
The fact is that the Saudis is in their last hoorah. The Shia will have more real power in the ME than the Sunnis. We need to get use to it.
Add Russia to the mix and I can see why the US is concerned. We created that vacuum and now the players are playing the game.
Russia under Putin cannot and should not be trusted.
Putin wants Russia to recover its lost "glory".
He will resort to any means to achieve his goal.
Putin wants Russia to recover its lost "glory".
He will resort to any means to achieve his goal.
1
"Russia under Putin cannot and should not be trusted.
Putin wants Russia to recover its lost "glory".
The USA under our Dear Leader Obama should not be trusted, he will do anything for the sake of his "legacy".
Putin wants Russia to recover its lost "glory".
The USA under our Dear Leader Obama should not be trusted, he will do anything for the sake of his "legacy".
6
Not so long ago you, with your blatant disrespect and questionable allegiance to the United States of America, would be tried for treason questioning the trustworthiness of the President in matters of war/peace.
Unfortunately, Obama wants his legacy to be that of a peaceful lamb by appeasing dictators and coming out on the losing side of many a fight. I am a pacifistic, but I also understand the need for strength.
This course of events makes it amply clear that for the great powers, the Syrian battleground is not ISIS vs modernity but Sunni axis vs Shia axis. Washington's main interest is to dislodge Assad and replace him with a Sunni-led regime that will make detente with Israel and join Saudi Arabia and the gulf states in their power play against Iran, while simultaneously denying Russia a foothold in the Mediterranean. Tehran's main interest is in sustaining Assad as a bulwark against Sunni power. Tel Aviv wants to remove Assad and weaken Syria so that they can choke off the Iranian supply corridor to Hezbollah and other Iranian clients fighting Israel. Finally, Moscow's main interest is in creating a sphere of influence around its borders by dividing the Euro-American axis. They see the Syrian war as a theater where Washington's primary interest (defeating Shia axis) is different from Europe's (ending the war and stemming the refugee tide). They can exploit this divergence by supporting Assad and preventing the US from defeating Assad through the "moderate" rebels, thus hoping to split the European Union opinion and exploit that in Ukraine. I predict that both sides will continue to escalate support to their proxies in the short-term. In the medium term, there will be some accommodation between Russia/Iran and US/Arabs/Israel to likely split Syria into different zones of influence. The refugees, of course, are of no one's concern as long as they don't show up on one's doorstep.
If the Russians want to get bogged down in Syria for Assad or whatever, the Administration is right to warn him as long as it remembers that you can't stop stupid. There's a bit of it in all of us from time to time. Right now Putin's gang is apparently plagued with it.
'that you can't stop stupid'
This is Washington, they are all stupid. And they are not stopping.
This is Washington, they are all stupid. And they are not stopping.
Russians want to be ruled with an iron fist.
Putin's shenanigans play well to the Russian public's hunger for a strong, militaristic dictator, and thus help keep him in power.
Putin's shenanigans play well to the Russian public's hunger for a strong, militaristic dictator, and thus help keep him in power.
2
When the Berlin Wall fell and the USSR was dissolved, we were all ecstatic. When Nixon opened China to trade with the West, we were hopeful. When the USA armed the mujahideen in Afghanistan to fight the Russians, we swelled with patriotic pride. Just three reminders to be careful of what you wish for. Looking back over the past 40 years or so, it seems to me that the world was actually a safer and more stable place before all our hopes were realized. To paraphrase the late Pat Moynihan, maybe benign neglect would be the best policy at this point. Just get out of all political and military entanglements in the ME now and let the Sunni-Shia civil war play out.
3
That would be fine except that Obama has sanctioned Nuclear weapons for M.E. countries with his agreement. We're not immune from the use of such weapons by turning our heads.
Obama has shown to be a weak President. Russia will do as they please knowing Obama will make meaningless statements and do nothing. It does appear that Obama can figure out what to do with Syria but won't sign on with Russia even if it is to beat IsiS
8
How serious are "America's allies" in fighting ISIS? With the exception of Kurds, the Sunni Arabs and Turks are just playing second fiddle! On has to put (Sunni) boots on the ground in areas held by ISIS. Airstrikes alone aren't enough!
Now when Russia means serious to fight the jihadists and steps up support for Assad, the Sunni Arabs become nervous, and the US feels the pressure to do something about it!
Now when Russia means serious to fight the jihadists and steps up support for Assad, the Sunni Arabs become nervous, and the US feels the pressure to do something about it!
3
Turkey is bombing Kurds.
1
How serious are "America's allies" in fighting ISIS? With the exception of Kurds, the Sunni Arabs and Turks are just playing second fiddle! On has to put (Sunni) boots on the ground in areas held by ISIS. Airstrikes alone aren't enough!
Now when Russia means serious to fight the jihadists and steps up support for Assad, the Sunni Arabs become nervous, and the US feels the pressure to do something about it!
Now when Russia means serious to fight the jihadists and steps up support for Assad, the Sunni Arabs become nervous, and the US feels the pressure to do something about it!
3
Turkey is bombing Kurds.
2
Russia has had a military presence in Syria for fifty years. The way some of the media is reporting this is that it is intended to be a challenge to the US. From what I've seen Putin wants the US to join forces to defeat ISIS. The problem is that Assad's gov't is a bloody police state that started the civil war. So you have merciless sectarian killers and rapists facing off against a secular war criminal.
1
This explanation is difficult to accept, given the facts.
Time for the Donald to jump in. If only I could 'deal' with Putin.
Russia has had a military presence in Syria for fifty years. The way some of the media is reporting this is that it is intended to be a challenge to the US. From what I've seen Putin wants the US to join forces to defeat ISIS. The problem is that Assad's gov't is a bloody police state that started the civil war. So you have merciless sectarian killers and rapists facing off against a secular war criminal.
1
This explanation is difficult to accept, given the facts.
Time for the Donald to jump in. If only I could 'deal' with Putin.
Putin loved Afghanistan so much they're going to repeat history all over again.
All of the War Hawks keep railing on about how Obama has been a weak President, they're all crying about how we should be in Syria and Iraq fighting ISIS, yet none of them are willing to volunteer themselves or their children to go fight. None of them are willing to raise taxes to fund the hundreds of thousands of veterans from Gulf War II or Afghanistan.
Let Putin go into Syria, when the body bags start returning home and the parents of those soldiers start questioning why they're in Syria protecting a failed dictator they'll start remembering Andropov and Brezhnev, we all know what happened after that. When ISIS and other extremists begin to reconstitute itself in Chechnya you'll see a shift in Russia support of Putin's saber rattling.
All of the War Hawks keep railing on about how Obama has been a weak President, they're all crying about how we should be in Syria and Iraq fighting ISIS, yet none of them are willing to volunteer themselves or their children to go fight. None of them are willing to raise taxes to fund the hundreds of thousands of veterans from Gulf War II or Afghanistan.
Let Putin go into Syria, when the body bags start returning home and the parents of those soldiers start questioning why they're in Syria protecting a failed dictator they'll start remembering Andropov and Brezhnev, we all know what happened after that. When ISIS and other extremists begin to reconstitute itself in Chechnya you'll see a shift in Russia support of Putin's saber rattling.
14
Point of reference. Parents don't volunteer their children to go fight. Soldiers volunteer themselves.
2
Will the US give anti-aircraft weapons to ISIS too?
1
The Saudis will.
1
Putin loved Afghanistan so much they're going to repeat history all over again.
All of the War Hawks keep railing on about how Obama has been a weak President, they're all crying about how we should be in Syria and Iraq fighting ISIS, yet none of them are willing to volunteer themselves or their children to go fight. None of them are willing to raise taxes to fund the hundreds of thousands of veterans from Gulf War II or Afghanistan.
Let Putin go into Syria, when the body bags start returning home and the parents of those soldiers start questioning why they're in Syria protecting a failed dictator they'll start remembering Andropov and Brezhnev, we all know what happened after that. When ISIS and other extremists begin to reconstitute itself in Chechnya you'll see a shift in Russia support of Putin's saber rattling.
All of the War Hawks keep railing on about how Obama has been a weak President, they're all crying about how we should be in Syria and Iraq fighting ISIS, yet none of them are willing to volunteer themselves or their children to go fight. None of them are willing to raise taxes to fund the hundreds of thousands of veterans from Gulf War II or Afghanistan.
Let Putin go into Syria, when the body bags start returning home and the parents of those soldiers start questioning why they're in Syria protecting a failed dictator they'll start remembering Andropov and Brezhnev, we all know what happened after that. When ISIS and other extremists begin to reconstitute itself in Chechnya you'll see a shift in Russia support of Putin's saber rattling.
33
Point of reference. Parents don't volunteer their children to go fight. Soldiers volunteer themselves.
2
Will the US give anti-aircraft weapons to ISIS too?
1
The Saudis will.
1
US response seems shrill.
I like Kerry but he's been acting like a headless chicken lately.
It's not cool. He should say enough is enough and retire.
I like Kerry but he's been acting like a headless chicken lately.
It's not cool. He should say enough is enough and retire.
3
US response seems shrill.
I like Kerry but he's been acting like a headless chicken lately.
It's not cool. He should say enough is enough and retire.
I like Kerry but he's been acting like a headless chicken lately.
It's not cool. He should say enough is enough and retire.
3
Jeb's brother invaded Iraq, installed a government and evidently did not figure out that actually it was Iran that wanted him to invade Iraq. Mission Accomplished!
1
Didn't God tell Bush to invade Iraq?
Jeb's brother invaded Iraq, installed a government and evidently did not figure out that actually it was Iran that wanted him to invade Iraq. Mission Accomplished!
2
Didn't God tell Bush to invade Iraq?
1
Well Played Russia!!! Now this is what you call a brilliant calculated move...not only because....you moved troops and a air base inside Syria but also Taken Iran in to Equation by Moving Iran Military in Syria!.... Simply brilliant....Getting Geographic Advantage and Forcing a Stalemate!!! Your move now NATO!!!....
1
Last time I checked Russia is a lot closer to Syria than we are. Let's get OUT OUT OUT of the Middle East. Let Russia and China deal with the crazies. I just don't care anymore.
2
Let's be perfectly clear here.
Syria is a sovereign state that had elections in the past four years that elected Assad as their president.
Syria has been allied with Russia and Iran for a long time.
Assad feels that "terrorists" are in his country to overthrow him and as such he has a right to call in Russia and Iran to help him gain stability in his country.
The United States would not even be in the region had we not executed an illegal war against Iraq committing massive war crimes in the process.
I.S. would not exist had we not gone into Iraq.
The United States, illegally, created this ugly chaos and now what is the United States answer to the problem it created? MORE CHAOS!
The United States, by arming elements of the very groups that supposedly did 9/11, to overthrow Assad and to "defeat" their kissing cousins the I.S. is absurd and is failing.
I say the United States should remove itself from this mess and let Russia and Syria and Iran try to "fix it".
Obama is toying with starting a World War with Russia. This is the WORST possible thing to do when his "job" is to protect the American people and our security.
Not much left to "protect" when all our major cities have gone up into a mushroom cloud.
And considering the presidential candidates we have before us, every single one (especially Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump) have declared their allegiance to the State of Israel and its security OVER THE U.S.! THIS is treason!
Syria is a sovereign state that had elections in the past four years that elected Assad as their president.
Syria has been allied with Russia and Iran for a long time.
Assad feels that "terrorists" are in his country to overthrow him and as such he has a right to call in Russia and Iran to help him gain stability in his country.
The United States would not even be in the region had we not executed an illegal war against Iraq committing massive war crimes in the process.
I.S. would not exist had we not gone into Iraq.
The United States, illegally, created this ugly chaos and now what is the United States answer to the problem it created? MORE CHAOS!
The United States, by arming elements of the very groups that supposedly did 9/11, to overthrow Assad and to "defeat" their kissing cousins the I.S. is absurd and is failing.
I say the United States should remove itself from this mess and let Russia and Syria and Iran try to "fix it".
Obama is toying with starting a World War with Russia. This is the WORST possible thing to do when his "job" is to protect the American people and our security.
Not much left to "protect" when all our major cities have gone up into a mushroom cloud.
And considering the presidential candidates we have before us, every single one (especially Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump) have declared their allegiance to the State of Israel and its security OVER THE U.S.! THIS is treason!
9
Well Played Russia!!! Now this is what you call a brilliant calculated move...not only because....you moved troops and a air base inside Syria but also Taken Iran in to Equation by Moving Iran Military in Syria!.... Simply brilliant....Getting Geographic Advantage and Forcing a Stalemate!!! Your move now NATO!!!....
1
Last time I checked Russia is a lot closer to Syria than we are. Let's get OUT OUT OUT of the Middle East. Let Russia and China deal with the crazies. I just don't care anymore.
2
Let's be perfectly clear here.
Syria is a sovereign state that had elections in the past four years that elected Assad as their president.
Syria has been allied with Russia and Iran for a long time.
Assad feels that "terrorists" are in his country to overthrow him and as such he has a right to call in Russia and Iran to help him gain stability in his country.
The United States would not even be in the region had we not executed an illegal war against Iraq committing massive war crimes in the process.
I.S. would not exist had we not gone into Iraq.
The United States, illegally, created this ugly chaos and now what is the United States answer to the problem it created? MORE CHAOS!
The United States, by arming elements of the very groups that supposedly did 9/11, to overthrow Assad and to "defeat" their kissing cousins the I.S. is absurd and is failing.
I say the United States should remove itself from this mess and let Russia and Syria and Iran try to "fix it".
Obama is toying with starting a World War with Russia. This is the WORST possible thing to do when his "job" is to protect the American people and our security.
Not much left to "protect" when all our major cities have gone up into a mushroom cloud.
And considering the presidential candidates we have before us, every single one (especially Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump) have declared their allegiance to the State of Israel and its security OVER THE U.S.! THIS is treason!
Syria is a sovereign state that had elections in the past four years that elected Assad as their president.
Syria has been allied with Russia and Iran for a long time.
Assad feels that "terrorists" are in his country to overthrow him and as such he has a right to call in Russia and Iran to help him gain stability in his country.
The United States would not even be in the region had we not executed an illegal war against Iraq committing massive war crimes in the process.
I.S. would not exist had we not gone into Iraq.
The United States, illegally, created this ugly chaos and now what is the United States answer to the problem it created? MORE CHAOS!
The United States, by arming elements of the very groups that supposedly did 9/11, to overthrow Assad and to "defeat" their kissing cousins the I.S. is absurd and is failing.
I say the United States should remove itself from this mess and let Russia and Syria and Iran try to "fix it".
Obama is toying with starting a World War with Russia. This is the WORST possible thing to do when his "job" is to protect the American people and our security.
Not much left to "protect" when all our major cities have gone up into a mushroom cloud.
And considering the presidential candidates we have before us, every single one (especially Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump) have declared their allegiance to the State of Israel and its security OVER THE U.S.! THIS is treason!
11
Putin has watched Obama do the following:
1. Withdraw from Iraq allowing ISIS to take over a large part of the Country.
2. Draw a meaningless red line in the sand in Syria
3. Reward Iran by giving them nuclear weapons and a $150 billion signing
bonus.
What would you do if you were Putin?
1. Withdraw from Iraq allowing ISIS to take over a large part of the Country.
2. Draw a meaningless red line in the sand in Syria
3. Reward Iran by giving them nuclear weapons and a $150 billion signing
bonus.
What would you do if you were Putin?
31
I'd award 0bama the First Class Civilian Medal of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland"
Don, on your 3rd point you seem to omit that Russia was part of that Iran deal
Don, I think putin would demand that Bush Jr would return, a man who said something to the effect that he looked Putin in the eye and knew he could trust him (and acted accordingly).
Putin has watched Obama do the following:
1. Withdraw from Iraq allowing ISIS to take over a large part of the Country.
2. Draw a meaningless red line in the sand in Syria
3. Reward Iran by giving them nuclear weapons and a $150 billion signing
bonus.
What would you do if you were Putin?
1. Withdraw from Iraq allowing ISIS to take over a large part of the Country.
2. Draw a meaningless red line in the sand in Syria
3. Reward Iran by giving them nuclear weapons and a $150 billion signing
bonus.
What would you do if you were Putin?
42
I'd award 0bama the First Class Civilian Medal of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland"
Don, on your 3rd point you seem to omit that Russia was part of that Iran deal
Don, I think putin would demand that Bush Jr would return, a man who said something to the effect that he looked Putin in the eye and knew he could trust him (and acted accordingly).
If we lived in a perfect world, there would be no dictators. Since we do not, we make choices. When Obama and Hillary wanted to elimimate
Assad, son of father, they armed who knows what?
Now we have ISIS. Did HRC and Obama ship arms to the future ISIS
fighters via Benghazi? I am inclined to think so.
Meanwhile, the prolonged war in Syria involves many players. I vote for eliminating ISIS and then today no more oil from the Middle East. Use policy to influence decisions. That is for starters.
Approve the Keystone Pipeline. Help other nations to declare their independence from the Middle East.
A New Policy of Realism is required. The problem defined: Given, to find, solution.
Assad, son of father, they armed who knows what?
Now we have ISIS. Did HRC and Obama ship arms to the future ISIS
fighters via Benghazi? I am inclined to think so.
Meanwhile, the prolonged war in Syria involves many players. I vote for eliminating ISIS and then today no more oil from the Middle East. Use policy to influence decisions. That is for starters.
Approve the Keystone Pipeline. Help other nations to declare their independence from the Middle East.
A New Policy of Realism is required. The problem defined: Given, to find, solution.
Putin and Russia have taken over as the dominant authority in the Middle East. Putin laughs at the man-child U.S. President and the weakness that he projects. And, as always, weakness invites aggression. Russia will crush ISIS, and take over Irac and Syria in the name of defending them. Unlike the niave Americans, Russia will claim all of their natural resources for themselves.
2
Russians are doing something to end the humanitarian crisis. The are going to defeat ISIS so people can return home. Something Obama clearly does not want to happen. Putin is a hero to many Americans, Obama is despised by many.
5
Obama is made the fool by almost every country, friend or foe. As an American I feel embarrassed by my government's stupidity.
6
Wally, about 45% of Americans believe that evolution is a "myth" and 16% that the Earth is only 6,000 years old. Should we be embarrased or just proud of American "exceptionalism".
Here's a headline I'd like to see: "American War in Iraq and Threats of War to Iran Defy Russian Objections." Or, if you want the headline version on the article page itself: "American War in Iraq and Threats of War to Iran Escalate Tension with Russia."
Not that I hold a brief for Russia, but the nonstop, apparently unconscious assumption that we own the world may be lost on many Americans but it's not lost on the rest of the world. And not just those parts we bomb or impoverish.
NB: Actual toughness is looking in the mirror, not pointing out the window while flexing your muscles.
Not that I hold a brief for Russia, but the nonstop, apparently unconscious assumption that we own the world may be lost on many Americans but it's not lost on the rest of the world. And not just those parts we bomb or impoverish.
NB: Actual toughness is looking in the mirror, not pointing out the window while flexing your muscles.
3
The U.S. has been bungling it in Syria since perhaps years before the first protests in early 2011. We used to have an embassy in Syria, and they had one here. It was at 2215 Wyoming Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
(202) 232-6313.
I looked it up, and found out it was closed now:
" U.S. orders closure of Syrian Embassy in Washington.
The State Department suspended operations and told diplomats and staff without U.S. citizenship to leave the country. (Reuters)
By Karen DeYoung March 18, 2014
The State Department on Tuesday announced the official closing of the Syrian Embassy in Washington and said Syrian diplomats there and in consulates elsewhere in the United States must leave by the end of this month.
Daniel Rubinstein, the Obama administration’s special envoy for Syria, tied the decision to this week’s third anniversary of the beginning of the Syrian upheaval."
But already, Pres. Obama had given a speech (August 18, 2011) condemning Pres. Assad. He had done nothing especially wrong. In keeping with the way they do in the Middle East, even in Israel, a supposedly democratic country, any protests are put down with enough force to actually put the protests down.
There was Kent State, Ohio:
from Wikipedia
" The Kent State shootings (also known as the May 4 massacre or the Kent State massacre)[1][2][3] occurred at Kent State University in the US city of Kent, Ohio, and involved the shooting of unarmed college students by the Ohio National Guard on Monday, May 4, 1970."
(202) 232-6313.
I looked it up, and found out it was closed now:
" U.S. orders closure of Syrian Embassy in Washington.
The State Department suspended operations and told diplomats and staff without U.S. citizenship to leave the country. (Reuters)
By Karen DeYoung March 18, 2014
The State Department on Tuesday announced the official closing of the Syrian Embassy in Washington and said Syrian diplomats there and in consulates elsewhere in the United States must leave by the end of this month.
Daniel Rubinstein, the Obama administration’s special envoy for Syria, tied the decision to this week’s third anniversary of the beginning of the Syrian upheaval."
But already, Pres. Obama had given a speech (August 18, 2011) condemning Pres. Assad. He had done nothing especially wrong. In keeping with the way they do in the Middle East, even in Israel, a supposedly democratic country, any protests are put down with enough force to actually put the protests down.
There was Kent State, Ohio:
from Wikipedia
" The Kent State shootings (also known as the May 4 massacre or the Kent State massacre)[1][2][3] occurred at Kent State University in the US city of Kent, Ohio, and involved the shooting of unarmed college students by the Ohio National Guard on Monday, May 4, 1970."
3
Far more civilians will die if ISIS is not defeated. Already thousands have died fleeing Syria. Many more have been murdered by ISIS. ISIS is more brutal than Nazis. Putin will be known as the hero who defeated evil.
3
Earl,
or the man who got Russia involved in Afganistan II
or the man who got Russia involved in Afganistan II
So the US has target shooting rights in Syria, but the Russians don't? Seems like a coalition opportunity to root out ISIS, rather than confrontation opportunity.
Before the media portrays this as Iraq and Iran again dissing the US, perhaps the media should get to the bottom of why Iraq and Iran don't mind Russian involvement.
Finally, why should we be too concerned about Russia's involvement. If you oppose Putin, this might be a godsend, since the more anyone from the outside gets involved in the middle east, the more they get burned. It never goes well in the middle east. It's a swamp, inside a bog, wrapped in a quagmire. Go Putin go!
Before the media portrays this as Iraq and Iran again dissing the US, perhaps the media should get to the bottom of why Iraq and Iran don't mind Russian involvement.
Finally, why should we be too concerned about Russia's involvement. If you oppose Putin, this might be a godsend, since the more anyone from the outside gets involved in the middle east, the more they get burned. It never goes well in the middle east. It's a swamp, inside a bog, wrapped in a quagmire. Go Putin go!
1
If we lived in a perfect world, there would be no dictators. Since we do not, we make choices. When Obama and Hillary wanted to elimimate
Assad, son of father, they armed who knows what?
Now we have ISIS. Did HRC and Obama ship arms to the future ISIS
fighters via Benghazi? I am inclined to think so.
Meanwhile, the prolonged war in Syria involves many players. I vote for eliminating ISIS and then today no more oil from the Middle East. Use policy to influence decisions. That is for starters.
Approve the Keystone Pipeline. Help other nations to declare their independence from the Middle East.
A New Policy of Realism is required. The problem defined: Given, to find, solution.
Assad, son of father, they armed who knows what?
Now we have ISIS. Did HRC and Obama ship arms to the future ISIS
fighters via Benghazi? I am inclined to think so.
Meanwhile, the prolonged war in Syria involves many players. I vote for eliminating ISIS and then today no more oil from the Middle East. Use policy to influence decisions. That is for starters.
Approve the Keystone Pipeline. Help other nations to declare their independence from the Middle East.
A New Policy of Realism is required. The problem defined: Given, to find, solution.
Putin and Russia have taken over as the dominant authority in the Middle East. Putin laughs at the man-child U.S. President and the weakness that he projects. And, as always, weakness invites aggression. Russia will crush ISIS, and take over Irac and Syria in the name of defending them. Unlike the niave Americans, Russia will claim all of their natural resources for themselves.
2
Russians are doing something to end the humanitarian crisis. The are going to defeat ISIS so people can return home. Something Obama clearly does not want to happen. Putin is a hero to many Americans, Obama is despised by many.
6
Obama is made the fool by almost every country, friend or foe. As an American I feel embarrassed by my government's stupidity.
6
Wally, about 45% of Americans believe that evolution is a "myth" and 16% that the Earth is only 6,000 years old. Should we be embarrased or just proud of American "exceptionalism".
Here's a headline I'd like to see: "American War in Iraq and Threats of War to Iran Defy Russian Objections." Or, if you want the headline version on the article page itself: "American War in Iraq and Threats of War to Iran Escalate Tension with Russia."
Not that I hold a brief for Russia, but the nonstop, apparently unconscious assumption that we own the world may be lost on many Americans but it's not lost on the rest of the world. And not just those parts we bomb or impoverish.
NB: Actual toughness is looking in the mirror, not pointing out the window while flexing your muscles.
Not that I hold a brief for Russia, but the nonstop, apparently unconscious assumption that we own the world may be lost on many Americans but it's not lost on the rest of the world. And not just those parts we bomb or impoverish.
NB: Actual toughness is looking in the mirror, not pointing out the window while flexing your muscles.
3
The U.S. has been bungling it in Syria since perhaps years before the first protests in early 2011. We used to have an embassy in Syria, and they had one here. It was at 2215 Wyoming Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
(202) 232-6313.
I looked it up, and found out it was closed now:
" U.S. orders closure of Syrian Embassy in Washington.
The State Department suspended operations and told diplomats and staff without U.S. citizenship to leave the country. (Reuters)
By Karen DeYoung March 18, 2014
The State Department on Tuesday announced the official closing of the Syrian Embassy in Washington and said Syrian diplomats there and in consulates elsewhere in the United States must leave by the end of this month.
Daniel Rubinstein, the Obama administration’s special envoy for Syria, tied the decision to this week’s third anniversary of the beginning of the Syrian upheaval."
But already, Pres. Obama had given a speech (August 18, 2011) condemning Pres. Assad. He had done nothing especially wrong. In keeping with the way they do in the Middle East, even in Israel, a supposedly democratic country, any protests are put down with enough force to actually put the protests down.
There was Kent State, Ohio:
from Wikipedia
" The Kent State shootings (also known as the May 4 massacre or the Kent State massacre)[1][2][3] occurred at Kent State University in the US city of Kent, Ohio, and involved the shooting of unarmed college students by the Ohio National Guard on Monday, May 4, 1970."
(202) 232-6313.
I looked it up, and found out it was closed now:
" U.S. orders closure of Syrian Embassy in Washington.
The State Department suspended operations and told diplomats and staff without U.S. citizenship to leave the country. (Reuters)
By Karen DeYoung March 18, 2014
The State Department on Tuesday announced the official closing of the Syrian Embassy in Washington and said Syrian diplomats there and in consulates elsewhere in the United States must leave by the end of this month.
Daniel Rubinstein, the Obama administration’s special envoy for Syria, tied the decision to this week’s third anniversary of the beginning of the Syrian upheaval."
But already, Pres. Obama had given a speech (August 18, 2011) condemning Pres. Assad. He had done nothing especially wrong. In keeping with the way they do in the Middle East, even in Israel, a supposedly democratic country, any protests are put down with enough force to actually put the protests down.
There was Kent State, Ohio:
from Wikipedia
" The Kent State shootings (also known as the May 4 massacre or the Kent State massacre)[1][2][3] occurred at Kent State University in the US city of Kent, Ohio, and involved the shooting of unarmed college students by the Ohio National Guard on Monday, May 4, 1970."
3
Far more civilians will die if ISIS is not defeated. Already thousands have died fleeing Syria. Many more have been murdered by ISIS. ISIS is more brutal than Nazis. Putin will be known as the hero who defeated evil.
3
Earl,
or the man who got Russia involved in Afganistan II
or the man who got Russia involved in Afganistan II
So the US has target shooting rights in Syria, but the Russians don't? Seems like a coalition opportunity to root out ISIS, rather than confrontation opportunity.
Before the media portrays this as Iraq and Iran again dissing the US, perhaps the media should get to the bottom of why Iraq and Iran don't mind Russian involvement.
Finally, why should we be too concerned about Russia's involvement. If you oppose Putin, this might be a godsend, since the more anyone from the outside gets involved in the middle east, the more they get burned. It never goes well in the middle east. It's a swamp, inside a bog, wrapped in a quagmire. Go Putin go!
Before the media portrays this as Iraq and Iran again dissing the US, perhaps the media should get to the bottom of why Iraq and Iran don't mind Russian involvement.
Finally, why should we be too concerned about Russia's involvement. If you oppose Putin, this might be a godsend, since the more anyone from the outside gets involved in the middle east, the more they get burned. It never goes well in the middle east. It's a swamp, inside a bog, wrapped in a quagmire. Go Putin go!
1
Can you all imagine Russia in Syria, and Egypt----fortunately Egypt protected iteself, much against the wishes of 0bama, and Hillary----the ME would be a Russian Lake of Oil----the 'Incompetence' of this administration is phenomonally egotistic----Iran will be nuclear within two years, Russia will have a first class military base in Syria, and Iraq will be aligned with them, Turkey will covertly aid them, Jordan, SA, Egypt, and Israel, will be left hanging, and Egypt will be pressured by a jihadist Libya===="Good Job" Barry
2
Putin has apparently decided that the President is just a feckless jabberer. The world is going to become a progressively more dangerous place as the bad guys see what they can grab before the President leaves office.
1
yes, McCain and Palin would have really prevented Russian actions in the Ukraine and Syria. No doubt a lot. Sure.
Who objectively looks like the strong, strategic leader here? Mr. Putin or Mr. Obama. Extra points for honesty.
4
Assad and Putin better prepare themselves for an extremely stern letter from our GIC (golfer in chief). He may even use red lines to underline his most emphatic rants.
2
“And that won’t change our core strategy, which is to continue to put pressure on ISIL in Iraq and Syria..."
Isn't the 'core strategy' to defeat, not 'pressure', ISIL?
The President's end game seems to be to leave this problem to the next President...
Isn't the 'core strategy' to defeat, not 'pressure', ISIL?
The President's end game seems to be to leave this problem to the next President...
1
Russia has correctly identified that the major cause of the refugees fleeing Syria is ISIS. Unlike the Germans and the Austrians, the Russians have figured out too that trying to seal your border will not stop the influx.
The Russians are trying to solve the problem at its root cause. They simply don't want Muslim refugees boarding trains for Moscow.
The Russians are trying to solve the problem at its root cause. They simply don't want Muslim refugees boarding trains for Moscow.
1
Behold the results from the " Blame America First " crowds effect on Americas Foreign Policy. You wanted America out, so you have No right to complain on who wants in.
Fools ..all of you.
Fools ..all of you.
3
If US is unable or unwilling to take the tough decisions, then someone else will and indeed should!
Doing nothing and letting Syria breakup "slowly and painfully" causing a real mass displacement and death of millions of Syrians maybe a Saudi Arabia plan/wish, but no human being should accept it!
Even if Assad is seen as the "lesser evil for now", that is good enough "for now"!
Once Isis is disloged/removed then Assad can be dealt with as a next step!
Rome wasn't built in a day!
Doing nothing and letting Syria breakup "slowly and painfully" causing a real mass displacement and death of millions of Syrians maybe a Saudi Arabia plan/wish, but no human being should accept it!
Even if Assad is seen as the "lesser evil for now", that is good enough "for now"!
Once Isis is disloged/removed then Assad can be dealt with as a next step!
Rome wasn't built in a day!
1
Obama said: “And that won’t change our core strategy, which is to continue to put pressure on ISIL in Iraq and Syria,"
That is what Obama calls a "core" strategy? No wonder Putin runs circles around him. Perhaps it is time for pragmatism and support the lesser of two evils - Assad over ISIS. Obama's "core" strategy results in more instability in the ME, and the 100's of thousands trying to escape. The tragedy of the refugees can be traced directly back to Obama's regime change in Syria.
That is what Obama calls a "core" strategy? No wonder Putin runs circles around him. Perhaps it is time for pragmatism and support the lesser of two evils - Assad over ISIS. Obama's "core" strategy results in more instability in the ME, and the 100's of thousands trying to escape. The tragedy of the refugees can be traced directly back to Obama's regime change in Syria.
1
Events in Europe will force Obama's hand.
The world needs to make an example that you can't just run somewhere else if you trash your own country.
The world needs to make an example that you can't just run somewhere else if you trash your own country.
Steve, I think you are thinking of CHeny and Bush.
Can you all imagine Russia in Syria, and Egypt----fortunately Egypt protected iteself, much against the wishes of 0bama, and Hillary----the ME would be a Russian Lake of Oil----the 'Incompetence' of this administration is phenomonally egotistic----Iran will be nuclear within two years, Russia will have a first class military base in Syria, and Iraq will be aligned with them, Turkey will covertly aid them, Jordan, SA, Egypt, and Israel, will be left hanging, and Egypt will be pressured by a jihadist Libya===="Good Job" Barry
2
Putin has apparently decided that the President is just a feckless jabberer. The world is going to become a progressively more dangerous place as the bad guys see what they can grab before the President leaves office.
1
yes, McCain and Palin would have really prevented Russian actions in the Ukraine and Syria. No doubt a lot. Sure.
Who objectively looks like the strong, strategic leader here? Mr. Putin or Mr. Obama. Extra points for honesty.
5
Assad and Putin better prepare themselves for an extremely stern letter from our GIC (golfer in chief). He may even use red lines to underline his most emphatic rants.
2
“And that won’t change our core strategy, which is to continue to put pressure on ISIL in Iraq and Syria..."
Isn't the 'core strategy' to defeat, not 'pressure', ISIL?
The President's end game seems to be to leave this problem to the next President...
Isn't the 'core strategy' to defeat, not 'pressure', ISIL?
The President's end game seems to be to leave this problem to the next President...
1
Russia has correctly identified that the major cause of the refugees fleeing Syria is ISIS. Unlike the Germans and the Austrians, the Russians have figured out too that trying to seal your border will not stop the influx.
The Russians are trying to solve the problem at its root cause. They simply don't want Muslim refugees boarding trains for Moscow.
The Russians are trying to solve the problem at its root cause. They simply don't want Muslim refugees boarding trains for Moscow.
1
Behold the results from the " Blame America First " crowds effect on Americas Foreign Policy. You wanted America out, so you have No right to complain on who wants in.
Fools ..all of you.
Fools ..all of you.
3
If US is unable or unwilling to take the tough decisions, then someone else will and indeed should!
Doing nothing and letting Syria breakup "slowly and painfully" causing a real mass displacement and death of millions of Syrians maybe a Saudi Arabia plan/wish, but no human being should accept it!
Even if Assad is seen as the "lesser evil for now", that is good enough "for now"!
Once Isis is disloged/removed then Assad can be dealt with as a next step!
Rome wasn't built in a day!
Doing nothing and letting Syria breakup "slowly and painfully" causing a real mass displacement and death of millions of Syrians maybe a Saudi Arabia plan/wish, but no human being should accept it!
Even if Assad is seen as the "lesser evil for now", that is good enough "for now"!
Once Isis is disloged/removed then Assad can be dealt with as a next step!
Rome wasn't built in a day!
1
Obama said: “And that won’t change our core strategy, which is to continue to put pressure on ISIL in Iraq and Syria,"
That is what Obama calls a "core" strategy? No wonder Putin runs circles around him. Perhaps it is time for pragmatism and support the lesser of two evils - Assad over ISIS. Obama's "core" strategy results in more instability in the ME, and the 100's of thousands trying to escape. The tragedy of the refugees can be traced directly back to Obama's regime change in Syria.
That is what Obama calls a "core" strategy? No wonder Putin runs circles around him. Perhaps it is time for pragmatism and support the lesser of two evils - Assad over ISIS. Obama's "core" strategy results in more instability in the ME, and the 100's of thousands trying to escape. The tragedy of the refugees can be traced directly back to Obama's regime change in Syria.
1
Events in Europe will force Obama's hand.
The world needs to make an example that you can't just run somewhere else if you trash your own country.
The world needs to make an example that you can't just run somewhere else if you trash your own country.
Steve, I think you are thinking of CHeny and Bush.
We spend trillions to install what is essentially our puppet government in Iraq and then we let that government flip us off when we make a request about Russia's use of airspace. Only the US government would be stupid enough to create such an absurd situation.
And yet some people wonder why Donald Trump seems to strike a chord in many.
And yet some people wonder why Donald Trump seems to strike a chord in many.
14
We spend trillions to install what is essentially our puppet government in Iraq and then we let that government flip us off when we make a request about Russia's use of airspace. Only the US government would be stupid enough to create such an absurd situation.
And yet some people wonder why Donald Trump seems to strike a chord in many.
And yet some people wonder why Donald Trump seems to strike a chord in many.
28
Since it was Bush, Cheney and Rice who broke Iraq, why would any thinking person want another Republican President, especially one who counts military high school as military service and spouts off about being tough. Is he going to sign up his kids and spend his money toward the effort he seems to be promoting? I doubt it!
So, what exactly is Obama going to do? Maybe draw another red lipstick line in the sand? The real tragedy is that Obama's actions/inaction's are laying the foundation for the next war, one that we are less prepared to fight than the last one...so,the only real unknown is how many children, parents or spouses will be sacrificed for Obama's legacy.
4
So, what exactly is Obama going to do? Maybe draw another red lipstick line in the sand? The real tragedy is that Obama's actions/inaction's are laying the foundation for the next war, one that we are less prepared to fight than the last one...so,the only real unknown is how many children, parents or spouses will be sacrificed for Obama's legacy.
4
We have drawn so many lines in the sand and not enforced them now our threats to any of the world look like a vapor. Our making an agreement with Iran at any cost just to prevent war as J Kerry stated is like giving into a child just to prevent throwing a tantrum. We either should make threats and carry them out at all cost or keep our noses out of others business. Our creating Ben Laden in Afghanistan came back to bite us, our taking out Sodom Hussein has came back to bite us. If we keep threatening Russia than we have to be willing to pay the outcome.
If Russia wants into Syria and will fight isis, more power to them.
Obama and Putin should be working together to destroy isis. But, that's not going to happen. Washington and Moscow still see the world as a place to stake out a political position instead of helping to stop evil and help the people.
Obama and Putin should be working together to destroy isis. But, that's not going to happen. Washington and Moscow still see the world as a place to stake out a political position instead of helping to stop evil and help the people.
1
footnote
members of the family in great fear who became Jehovah's Witnesses were spared to be able to keep distance but it seems Putin is now in control on the Russian Orthodox church and there is no place to hide or chance of change coming as Putin gains even more power and control over the world and the comments here who knows how many are his chosen
members of the family in great fear who became Jehovah's Witnesses were spared to be able to keep distance but it seems Putin is now in control on the Russian Orthodox church and there is no place to hide or chance of change coming as Putin gains even more power and control over the world and the comments here who knows how many are his chosen
ISIS is the military industrial complex cash cow right now ,they don,t want Russia messing it up ,till they can get a new boogy man
1
Why do the Russians not have as much right to be there as we have? Perhaps they can do a better job. They could not do worse.
5
Let Russia deal with Isis even if that means supporting Assad...we will have to live with unpleasant leaders, as we have in the past...We have had enough in that part of the world..
3
Is there anything Russians do to our liking except borcht?
4
And based on Obama's lack of leadership in Mid-East issues why would Russia care what we thought of their mobilizing in Syria? Russia is in an expansionist mood and there is no one in teh world willing to step up and stop them.
3
We have drawn so many lines in the sand and not enforced them now our threats to any of the world look like a vapor. Our making an agreement with Iran at any cost just to prevent war as J Kerry stated is like giving into a child just to prevent throwing a tantrum. We either should make threats and carry them out at all cost or keep our noses out of others business. Our creating Ben Laden in Afghanistan came back to bite us, our taking out Sodom Hussein has came back to bite us. If we keep threatening Russia than we have to be willing to pay the outcome.
If Russia wants into Syria and will fight isis, more power to them.
Obama and Putin should be working together to destroy isis. But, that's not going to happen. Washington and Moscow still see the world as a place to stake out a political position instead of helping to stop evil and help the people.
Obama and Putin should be working together to destroy isis. But, that's not going to happen. Washington and Moscow still see the world as a place to stake out a political position instead of helping to stop evil and help the people.
1
footnote
members of the family in great fear who became Jehovah's Witnesses were spared to be able to keep distance but it seems Putin is now in control on the Russian Orthodox church and there is no place to hide or chance of change coming as Putin gains even more power and control over the world and the comments here who knows how many are his chosen
members of the family in great fear who became Jehovah's Witnesses were spared to be able to keep distance but it seems Putin is now in control on the Russian Orthodox church and there is no place to hide or chance of change coming as Putin gains even more power and control over the world and the comments here who knows how many are his chosen
ISIS is the military industrial complex cash cow right now ,they don,t want Russia messing it up ,till they can get a new boogy man
2
Why do the Russians not have as much right to be there as we have? Perhaps they can do a better job. They could not do worse.
6
Let Russia deal with Isis even if that means supporting Assad...we will have to live with unpleasant leaders, as we have in the past...We have had enough in that part of the world..
3
Is there anything Russians do to our liking except borcht?
4
And based on Obama's lack of leadership in Mid-East issues why would Russia care what we thought of their mobilizing in Syria? Russia is in an expansionist mood and there is no one in teh world willing to step up and stop them.
3
The Obama administration had its chance to provide international leadership on the Syrian crisis, but it flubbed that chance because of its own incompetence, Obama's knee-jerk refusal to exert American power, and a particular American idiocy that assumes any country can throw off a decades-long system of dictatorship and turn into a Western-style democracy overnight. How well did that work in Egypt? Libya? Yemen? The United States needs to accept that Assad is by far the lesser of two evils, one of which is inevitable, something that Russia recognizes and is doing something about.
Mr. Obama, would you really prefer to see Syria ruled by ISIS? It would make the current wave of refugees look like a trickle, and it would destabilize Lebanon and Jordan, leading invariably to a far wider war. Russia has actually stepped up and is taking concrete steps to solve the crisis by supporting Assad. Unless you have something more constructive to offer--and, no, more airstrikes are not a solution--you need to shut up and step aside.
Mr. Obama, would you really prefer to see Syria ruled by ISIS? It would make the current wave of refugees look like a trickle, and it would destabilize Lebanon and Jordan, leading invariably to a far wider war. Russia has actually stepped up and is taking concrete steps to solve the crisis by supporting Assad. Unless you have something more constructive to offer--and, no, more airstrikes are not a solution--you need to shut up and step aside.
22
"Egypt? Libya? Yemen?" You forgot Afghanistan.
The Obama administration had its chance to provide international leadership on the Syrian crisis, but it flubbed that chance because of its own incompetence, Obama's knee-jerk refusal to exert American power, and a particular American idiocy that assumes any country can throw off a decades-long system of dictatorship and turn into a Western-style democracy overnight. How well did that work in Egypt? Libya? Yemen? The United States needs to accept that Assad is by far the lesser of two evils, one of which is inevitable, something that Russia recognizes and is doing something about.
Mr. Obama, would you really prefer to see Syria ruled by ISIS? It would make the current wave of refugees look like a trickle, and it would destabilize Lebanon and Jordan, leading invariably to a far wider war. Russia has actually stepped up and is taking concrete steps to solve the crisis by supporting Assad. Unless you have something more constructive to offer--and, no, more airstrikes are not a solution--you need to shut up and step aside.
Mr. Obama, would you really prefer to see Syria ruled by ISIS? It would make the current wave of refugees look like a trickle, and it would destabilize Lebanon and Jordan, leading invariably to a far wider war. Russia has actually stepped up and is taking concrete steps to solve the crisis by supporting Assad. Unless you have something more constructive to offer--and, no, more airstrikes are not a solution--you need to shut up and step aside.
40
"Egypt? Libya? Yemen?" You forgot Afghanistan.
Putin and Khamenei in Iran both realize the Obama is a weak, naive, ineffective leader and they are taking advantage of it. Obama's "red line" in Syria and his agreement with Iran are examples of why they have no respect for or fear of Obama.
Russia and a nuclear armed Iran will dominate the middle east an threaten the lives and security of all Americans.
This will be Obama's legacy.
Russia and a nuclear armed Iran will dominate the middle east an threaten the lives and security of all Americans.
This will be Obama's legacy.
2
Putin and Khamenei in Iran both realize the Obama is a weak, naive, ineffective leader and they are taking advantage of it. Obama's "red line" in Syria and his agreement with Iran are examples of why they have no respect for or fear of Obama.
Russia and a nuclear armed Iran will dominate the middle east an threaten the lives and security of all Americans.
This will be Obama's legacy.
Russia and a nuclear armed Iran will dominate the middle east an threaten the lives and security of all Americans.
This will be Obama's legacy.
2
"Under Obama, America is a laughing-stock. Why should anyone pay us any mind?"
America became a laughing-stock with the Iraq war. Bush was president then. Now the prescription seems to be:
"Let's do more of what Bush did, even though that made the US a laughingstock. Then we won't be a laughingstock any more."
Throwing our weight around has only shown us, and the rest of the world, just how ineffectual we are. We've got a lot of weight still, no question about that, but it can be used more effectively by not pretending we can simply crush anyone who disagrees with us. We can't, and we'll only make bigger laughingstocks of ourselves if we keep pretending we can. There are more effective ways to throw our weight around, and we should stick with those.
America became a laughing-stock with the Iraq war. Bush was president then. Now the prescription seems to be:
"Let's do more of what Bush did, even though that made the US a laughingstock. Then we won't be a laughingstock any more."
Throwing our weight around has only shown us, and the rest of the world, just how ineffectual we are. We've got a lot of weight still, no question about that, but it can be used more effectively by not pretending we can simply crush anyone who disagrees with us. We can't, and we'll only make bigger laughingstocks of ourselves if we keep pretending we can. There are more effective ways to throw our weight around, and we should stick with those.
5
"Under Obama, America is a laughing-stock. Why should anyone pay us any mind?"
America became a laughing-stock with the Iraq war. Bush was president then. Now the prescription seems to be:
"Let's do more of what Bush did, even though that made the US a laughingstock. Then we won't be a laughingstock any more."
Throwing our weight around has only shown us, and the rest of the world, just how ineffectual we are. We've got a lot of weight still, no question about that, but it can be used more effectively by not pretending we can simply crush anyone who disagrees with us. We can't, and we'll only make bigger laughingstocks of ourselves if we keep pretending we can. There are more effective ways to throw our weight around, and we should stick with those.
America became a laughing-stock with the Iraq war. Bush was president then. Now the prescription seems to be:
"Let's do more of what Bush did, even though that made the US a laughingstock. Then we won't be a laughingstock any more."
Throwing our weight around has only shown us, and the rest of the world, just how ineffectual we are. We've got a lot of weight still, no question about that, but it can be used more effectively by not pretending we can simply crush anyone who disagrees with us. We can't, and we'll only make bigger laughingstocks of ourselves if we keep pretending we can. There are more effective ways to throw our weight around, and we should stick with those.
5
This whole sorry spectacle is a strong disproof of the old adage "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." In this case, we have one enemy, ISIS, and four adversaries: Iran, Syria, Russia, and our supposed ally Iraq. None of them can be expected to act in concert with us in the Middle East unless we follow their lead (not likely, since their ultimate objective differ from ours in almost every way). Once again, we see the folly of U.S. involvement in what is essentially a forever war between Mesopotamian despots. Russia's objectives in this contest are quite clear: in advance of Putin's appearance at the UNGA later this month, divert attention from Russia's misdeeds in Ukraine while promoting the image of Russia as a bulwark against terrorism. Putin's other objective, which is just as important: propping up Asad's rapidly failing regime. What are U.S. objectives in this mess? Good question.
1
This whole sorry spectacle is a strong disproof of the old adage "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." In this case, we have one enemy, ISIS, and four adversaries: Iran, Syria, Russia, and our supposed ally Iraq. None of them can be expected to act in concert with us in the Middle East unless we follow their lead (not likely, since their ultimate objective differ from ours in almost every way). Once again, we see the folly of U.S. involvement in what is essentially a forever war between Mesopotamian despots. Russia's objectives in this contest are quite clear: in advance of Putin's appearance at the UNGA later this month, divert attention from Russia's misdeeds in Ukraine while promoting the image of Russia as a bulwark against terrorism. Putin's other objective, which is just as important: propping up Asad's rapidly failing regime. What are U.S. objectives in this mess? Good question.
1
It is high time that people with long-term and genuine interests for the US in mind, take note of the disturbing trends flouted openly by "vested interests" to get US mired again in vain and pointless escapades! The NY Times, unfortunately, has become a fellow-traveler of such "motivated" groups, despite its own realization that the long-term interests of the US are adversely affected by such espousal! It is crucial that this President leaves the country without any more entanglements, so that for a change, the US begins on her true road to prosperity with the New Administration coming on fore on January 20, 2017.
5
It is high time that people with long-term and genuine interests for the US in mind, take note of the disturbing trends flouted openly by "vested interests" to get US mired again in vain and pointless escapades! The NY Times, unfortunately, has become a fellow-traveler of such "motivated" groups, despite its own realization that the long-term interests of the US are adversely affected by such espousal! It is crucial that this President leaves the country without any more entanglements, so that for a change, the US begins on her true road to prosperity with the New Administration coming on fore on January 20, 2017.
5
You'd think Russia would learn from our mistakes.
Now I hope the haven't.
Now I hope the haven't.
You'd think Russia would learn from our mistakes.
Now I hope the haven't.
Now I hope the haven't.
The Junta that makes up the American "Deep State," including corporate cartels, the military industrial complex, and politicians on the take, all bound together by the deranged neo-con ideology of total world domination has been busy carrying out a well-documented strategy based on the destabilization of several countries in the Middle East.
Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, Yemen, and other countries in the region have been nothing but a playground for these ideologues. Of course, in terms of costs, whether human or financial, to these folks, that's not an issue because following the neo-liberal playbook, costs are socialized while profits are privatized.
I'll call it a high stakes "smash-and-grab" operation. The strategy is to take advantage of deep-seated ethnic and religious divisions in the region in order to create chaos, and once there is confusion and power vacuums, it sets the stage for the American Deep State (not to be confused with the remnants of a democratic state in the U.S.) to step in with the megalomaniacal mindset of controlling the region.
As this agenda moves forward, the friction created by it, whether is Russia stepping in to flex her muscles, or the creation of so-called "terrorists" when thousands of innocent people are killed, it gives the Deep State and its MIC an excuse to sell more weapons, entrench the fast-growing surveillance state (in our own land), and curtail a growing number of constitutional protections, all in the name of security.
Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, Yemen, and other countries in the region have been nothing but a playground for these ideologues. Of course, in terms of costs, whether human or financial, to these folks, that's not an issue because following the neo-liberal playbook, costs are socialized while profits are privatized.
I'll call it a high stakes "smash-and-grab" operation. The strategy is to take advantage of deep-seated ethnic and religious divisions in the region in order to create chaos, and once there is confusion and power vacuums, it sets the stage for the American Deep State (not to be confused with the remnants of a democratic state in the U.S.) to step in with the megalomaniacal mindset of controlling the region.
As this agenda moves forward, the friction created by it, whether is Russia stepping in to flex her muscles, or the creation of so-called "terrorists" when thousands of innocent people are killed, it gives the Deep State and its MIC an excuse to sell more weapons, entrench the fast-growing surveillance state (in our own land), and curtail a growing number of constitutional protections, all in the name of security.
5
The Junta that makes up the American "Deep State," including corporate cartels, the military industrial complex, and politicians on the take, all bound together by the deranged neo-con ideology of total world domination has been busy carrying out a well-documented strategy based on the destabilization of several countries in the Middle East.
Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, Yemen, and other countries in the region have been nothing but a playground for these ideologues. Of course, in terms of costs, whether human or financial, to these folks, that's not an issue because following the neo-liberal playbook, costs are socialized while profits are privatized.
I'll call it a high stakes "smash-and-grab" operation. The strategy is to take advantage of deep-seated ethnic and religious divisions in the region in order to create chaos, and once there is confusion and power vacuums, it sets the stage for the American Deep State (not to be confused with the remnants of a democratic state in the U.S.) to step in with the megalomaniacal mindset of controlling the region.
As this agenda moves forward, the friction created by it, whether is Russia stepping in to flex her muscles, or the creation of so-called "terrorists" when thousands of innocent people are killed, it gives the Deep State and its MIC an excuse to sell more weapons, entrench the fast-growing surveillance state (in our own land), and curtail a growing number of constitutional protections, all in the name of security.
Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, Yemen, and other countries in the region have been nothing but a playground for these ideologues. Of course, in terms of costs, whether human or financial, to these folks, that's not an issue because following the neo-liberal playbook, costs are socialized while profits are privatized.
I'll call it a high stakes "smash-and-grab" operation. The strategy is to take advantage of deep-seated ethnic and religious divisions in the region in order to create chaos, and once there is confusion and power vacuums, it sets the stage for the American Deep State (not to be confused with the remnants of a democratic state in the U.S.) to step in with the megalomaniacal mindset of controlling the region.
As this agenda moves forward, the friction created by it, whether is Russia stepping in to flex her muscles, or the creation of so-called "terrorists" when thousands of innocent people are killed, it gives the Deep State and its MIC an excuse to sell more weapons, entrench the fast-growing surveillance state (in our own land), and curtail a growing number of constitutional protections, all in the name of security.
5
One must wonder what is the White House real policy vision? (I wonder if you'll publish this.)
1
One must wonder what is the White House real policy vision? (I wonder if you'll publish this.)
1
So, Putin wants more deaths in Syria. Or does Russia needs just the money? According to the statistics published today, the Syrians actually do the killings. It is more effective with Russian weapons but they will do it with knives and swords as well.
And EU may be closing its borders. Nothing new, Europe used to have borders eveywhere.
And EU may be closing its borders. Nothing new, Europe used to have borders eveywhere.
1
So, Putin wants more deaths in Syria. Or does Russia needs just the money? According to the statistics published today, the Syrians actually do the killings. It is more effective with Russian weapons but they will do it with knives and swords as well.
And EU may be closing its borders. Nothing new, Europe used to have borders eveywhere.
And EU may be closing its borders. Nothing new, Europe used to have borders eveywhere.
1
Well this time they've gone too far. Our anointed one, His Majesty Oblunderer will now draw a red line around both countries to which the soviets are refused entry. To cross this line means certain repercussions, which will be determined at a much later date. "So there Putin", His Majesty was heard to utter.
1
Well this time they've gone too far. Our anointed one, His Majesty Oblunderer will now draw a red line around both countries to which the soviets are refused entry. To cross this line means certain repercussions, which will be determined at a much later date. "So there Putin", His Majesty was heard to utter.
1
The Russians seem to be the only ones who have had it right in the Middle East all along. They were right on the Iraq invasion, they were right on Libya and they are right on Syria. Putin knows that anti-democrat semi-secular mentally unhinged strongmen are a far better scenario for world order than "democracy" in the Middle East. The Middle East is not ready for democracy. They are still stuck in a totalitarian religious fascism of the 7th century. When these countries have their religious Reformation or when the Koran's New Testament is released for publication maybe then we should try again, but at the moment in Pakistan, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Somalia..... democracy means one form of Islamic fascism or another.
39
A generous selection of Democrats in the days of GWB, judging by what I read in reasonable papers then, agreed with your third sentence. Bush's foreign policy disagreed, and we keep getting stuck with its results. Consequently some of us intend to attend carefully to Bernie Sanders, a realist, than to Republican romantics.
The Russians seem to be the only ones who have had it right in the Middle East all along. They were right on the Iraq invasion, they were right on Libya and they are right on Syria. Putin knows that anti-democrat semi-secular mentally unhinged strongmen are a far better scenario for world order than "democracy" in the Middle East. The Middle East is not ready for democracy. They are still stuck in a totalitarian religious fascism of the 7th century. When these countries have their religious Reformation or when the Koran's New Testament is released for publication maybe then we should try again, but at the moment in Pakistan, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Somalia..... democracy means one form of Islamic fascism or another.
72
A generous selection of Democrats in the days of GWB, judging by what I read in reasonable papers then, agreed with your third sentence. Bush's foreign policy disagreed, and we keep getting stuck with its results. Consequently some of us intend to attend carefully to Bernie Sanders, a realist, than to Republican romantics.
But some American officials said Russian SU-25 and MiG-31 attack planes might arrive in the next phase of the buildup.
----------------------------
"Might arrive"? Oh, that's droll. For the template, see the Chinese military bases built on reefs in the South China Sea, rimmed with missiles and a 10,000-ft. runways. Meantime the USA paper tiger draws effete lines in the sands of the desert, and on the atoll. Bow wow!
----------------------------
"Might arrive"? Oh, that's droll. For the template, see the Chinese military bases built on reefs in the South China Sea, rimmed with missiles and a 10,000-ft. runways. Meantime the USA paper tiger draws effete lines in the sands of the desert, and on the atoll. Bow wow!
1
But some American officials said Russian SU-25 and MiG-31 attack planes might arrive in the next phase of the buildup.
----------------------------
"Might arrive"? Oh, that's droll. For the template, see the Chinese military bases built on reefs in the South China Sea, rimmed with missiles and a 10,000-ft. runways. Meantime the USA paper tiger draws effete lines in the sands of the desert, and on the atoll. Bow wow!
----------------------------
"Might arrive"? Oh, that's droll. For the template, see the Chinese military bases built on reefs in the South China Sea, rimmed with missiles and a 10,000-ft. runways. Meantime the USA paper tiger draws effete lines in the sands of the desert, and on the atoll. Bow wow!
1
The U.S. might have won the Cold War. But another war is in the offing. Only this time, it is going to be a traditional war - a smoldering war, claws bared. The Middle East maybe exploding but it is going take the rest of the world down with it. Russia and the U.S have a common enemy - the ISIS. But in our face off with each other, guess who steals the trophy for the ruins? The ISIS !!
2
The U.S. might have won the Cold War. But another war is in the offing. Only this time, it is going to be a traditional war - a smoldering war, claws bared. The Middle East maybe exploding but it is going take the rest of the world down with it. Russia and the U.S have a common enemy - the ISIS. But in our face off with each other, guess who steals the trophy for the ruins? The ISIS !!
2
Methinks Barack Obama should put on his mom genes and bicycle helmet and tell Vladimir to stop his aggression. I'm certain Vlad will shape up.
Methinks Barack Obama should put on his mom genes and bicycle helmet and tell Vladimir to stop his aggression. I'm certain Vlad will shape up.
The NYT, please send comments with the highest number of "recommended" to Obama.
4
The NYT, please send comments with the highest number of "recommended" to Obama.
4
I hope the Russians succeed in buttressing Assad. That policy makers in Washington, D.C. thinks there are 'moderate' Islamist's that they can arm against Assad is one of the factors that lead to the rise of ISIS. In addition, the Iraqi war fiasco is still casting a long shadow. I wonder how many of the ISIS fighters are former Iraqi soldiers that lost their job after the invasion, or former members of Saddam's government, with an ax to grind.
Is Assad a democrat? No, he's an autocrat willing to use state sanctioned violence against his opponents, but again, we're talking about countries that were arbitrarily created by European imperialists where there is little sense of statehood, but this beats the theocratic alternative.
Is Assad a democrat? No, he's an autocrat willing to use state sanctioned violence against his opponents, but again, we're talking about countries that were arbitrarily created by European imperialists where there is little sense of statehood, but this beats the theocratic alternative.
I hope the Russians succeed in buttressing Assad. That policy makers in Washington, D.C. thinks there are 'moderate' Islamist's that they can arm against Assad is one of the factors that lead to the rise of ISIS. In addition, the Iraqi war fiasco is still casting a long shadow. I wonder how many of the ISIS fighters are former Iraqi soldiers that lost their job after the invasion, or former members of Saddam's government, with an ax to grind.
Is Assad a democrat? No, he's an autocrat willing to use state sanctioned violence against his opponents, but again, we're talking about countries that were arbitrarily created by European imperialists where there is little sense of statehood, but this beats the theocratic alternative.
Is Assad a democrat? No, he's an autocrat willing to use state sanctioned violence against his opponents, but again, we're talking about countries that were arbitrarily created by European imperialists where there is little sense of statehood, but this beats the theocratic alternative.
Well, of course the US government. doesn't want Russia to start fighting ISIS. If that were to happen, ISIS might lose and then the US would be left without any regional tools with which to topple the Assad government.
Natural gas pipelines don't build themselves, you know.
Natural gas pipelines don't build themselves, you know.
2
smith,
you do realize that your mentality lead to govts like Assads that, indirectly, lead to ISIS?
you do realize that your mentality lead to govts like Assads that, indirectly, lead to ISIS?
Well, of course the US government. doesn't want Russia to start fighting ISIS. If that were to happen, ISIS might lose and then the US would be left without any regional tools with which to topple the Assad government.
Natural gas pipelines don't build themselves, you know.
Natural gas pipelines don't build themselves, you know.
3
smith,
you do realize that your mentality lead to govts like Assads that, indirectly, lead to ISIS?
you do realize that your mentality lead to govts like Assads that, indirectly, lead to ISIS?
“And that won’t change our core strategy, which is to continue to put pressure on ISIL in Iraq and Syria..."
More evidence of the President's 'slow boil' strategy in Iraq and Syria. Is the objective to 'pressure', or to defeat ISIL? The amount of human suffering the Obama administration has caused through this immoral strategy to slowly bleed both sides is evident in the massive stream of refugees pouring into Western Europe.
More evidence of the President's 'slow boil' strategy in Iraq and Syria. Is the objective to 'pressure', or to defeat ISIL? The amount of human suffering the Obama administration has caused through this immoral strategy to slowly bleed both sides is evident in the massive stream of refugees pouring into Western Europe.
1
“And that won’t change our core strategy, which is to continue to put pressure on ISIL in Iraq and Syria..."
More evidence of the President's 'slow boil' strategy in Iraq and Syria. Is the objective to 'pressure', or to defeat ISIL? The amount of human suffering the Obama administration has caused through this immoral strategy to slowly bleed both sides is evident in the massive stream of refugees pouring into Western Europe.
More evidence of the President's 'slow boil' strategy in Iraq and Syria. Is the objective to 'pressure', or to defeat ISIL? The amount of human suffering the Obama administration has caused through this immoral strategy to slowly bleed both sides is evident in the massive stream of refugees pouring into Western Europe.
1
Soviet-Russia... where 'red-line' come to YOU....
1
Soviet-Russia... where 'red-line' come to YOU....
1
It seems the US government can't pick the right people to fight for in the Middle East. "Our" government knows ISIS is a problem, but our "allies" Saudi Arabia and Israel support ISIS and want Assad out...So corrupt Washington shows how ineffectual our system actually is. Good for Russia, maybe we need to try their form of government, they seem to be constantly on the right side of these Middle East conflicts, as apposed to hapless Washington.
It seems the US government can't pick the right people to fight for in the Middle East. "Our" government knows ISIS is a problem, but our "allies" Saudi Arabia and Israel support ISIS and want Assad out...So corrupt Washington shows how ineffectual our system actually is. Good for Russia, maybe we need to try their form of government, they seem to be constantly on the right side of these Middle East conflicts, as apposed to hapless Washington.
Seems that US interference in Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria ..
Has done nothing but create problems ..
So much for the Arab spring ..
Maybe the US would take some of the millions of displaced, and not expect the rest of the world to sort out the mess the US has created ..
Al Qaeda came from the Mujahadeen .. Created by the US to upset the Russians in Afganistan ..
Now we have IS .. An offshoot of American Foreign Policy in the Middle East ..
While then tyranny that went before never managed to kill, or displace, even a small fraction of those the US has managed to .. In the name of what ?.
Has done nothing but create problems ..
So much for the Arab spring ..
Maybe the US would take some of the millions of displaced, and not expect the rest of the world to sort out the mess the US has created ..
Al Qaeda came from the Mujahadeen .. Created by the US to upset the Russians in Afganistan ..
Now we have IS .. An offshoot of American Foreign Policy in the Middle East ..
While then tyranny that went before never managed to kill, or displace, even a small fraction of those the US has managed to .. In the name of what ?.
3
Seems that US interference in Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria ..
Has done nothing but create problems ..
So much for the Arab spring ..
Maybe the US would take some of the millions of displaced, and not expect the rest of the world to sort out the mess the US has created ..
Al Qaeda came from the Mujahadeen .. Created by the US to upset the Russians in Afganistan ..
Now we have IS .. An offshoot of American Foreign Policy in the Middle East ..
While then tyranny that went before never managed to kill, or displace, even a small fraction of those the US has managed to .. In the name of what ?.
Has done nothing but create problems ..
So much for the Arab spring ..
Maybe the US would take some of the millions of displaced, and not expect the rest of the world to sort out the mess the US has created ..
Al Qaeda came from the Mujahadeen .. Created by the US to upset the Russians in Afganistan ..
Now we have IS .. An offshoot of American Foreign Policy in the Middle East ..
While then tyranny that went before never managed to kill, or displace, even a small fraction of those the US has managed to .. In the name of what ?.
3
ISIS is the bigger threat in Mid East and the US has most to gain and profit from Russia and Iran’s participation. It is easier to deal with non-ideologue (Putin, Assad and Iran) than with religious extremists -ISIS. The Muslim extremists are created and influenced and deep rooted in Saudi’s Wahhabism - a Sunni sect and Shia branch of Muslim such as Iran are their historical enemy since the split of Muslim religion in 6th century. It is our best interest have Russia and Iran on our side to defeat religious fanaticism. Quote from the art of war by Sun Tzu (600BC) – One must know when to fight and when not to fight and it is time to engage with our enemy’s enemy.
3
ISIS is the bigger threat in Mid East and the US has most to gain and profit from Russia and Iran’s participation. It is easier to deal with non-ideologue (Putin, Assad and Iran) than with religious extremists -ISIS. The Muslim extremists are created and influenced and deep rooted in Saudi’s Wahhabism - a Sunni sect and Shia branch of Muslim such as Iran are their historical enemy since the split of Muslim religion in 6th century. It is our best interest have Russia and Iran on our side to defeat religious fanaticism. Quote from the art of war by Sun Tzu (600BC) – One must know when to fight and when not to fight and it is time to engage with our enemy’s enemy.
3
Obama says he does not want Russia to "double down on a policy that is doomed to fail". But what is he doing? If Obama's Syria policy has not already failed, I am not sure how to define failure. From the point of view of Washington and Moscow, I guess the rubble hasn't been divided up yet, but it's hard for me to imagine 5 million Syrian refugees calling Obama's policy a success, let alone the many who have not survived to have a say. Amazing to me the degree the great powers will go to to divide up the world's turf between them, with no regard for the human toll their games take.
21
How about we just stay out of a war that has nothing to do with us.
1
Obama says he does not want Russia to "double down on a policy that is doomed to fail". But what is he doing? If Obama's Syria policy has not already failed, I am not sure how to define failure. From the point of view of Washington and Moscow, I guess the rubble hasn't been divided up yet, but it's hard for me to imagine 5 million Syrian refugees calling Obama's policy a success, let alone the many who have not survived to have a say. Amazing to me the degree the great powers will go to to divide up the world's turf between them, with no regard for the human toll their games take.
34
How about we just stay out of a war that has nothing to do with us.
1
"In the meantime, ISIS is at the gates of Damascus. Is the U.S. waiting ... waiting for ISIS to reach Jerusalem, too?"
Oh, pashaw! What a worry-wart! ISIS may dislike Shiite or Alawite Muslims, but that's no reason to think they dislike Israeli Jews. Once they control Syria, I'm sure they'll leave Israel alone.
Oh, pashaw! What a worry-wart! ISIS may dislike Shiite or Alawite Muslims, but that's no reason to think they dislike Israeli Jews. Once they control Syria, I'm sure they'll leave Israel alone.
Barack "The Global Laughingstock" Obama. Absolutely no one with more than 3 hairs on their chest respects this guy. Even those who are getting a share of the record government handouts don't respect him. They just take the freebies.
To Russia, the Saudi decision to flood the global oil market is an act of war.
1
Time to draw a red line
But our 'friend' Saudi Arabia, you know the nation where the 9/11 hijackers came from, and which funds Sunni terror groups 'there' so they don't come 'here'- in Saudi Arabia, wants a Sunni bad guy to run Syria because Iran backs Assad.
1
Russia is doing us a favor if it manages to stabilize Syria. The last thing we need is a further emboldened ISIL and if Russia has the fortitude to stop them, good. Our refusal to acknowledge that Assad is part of the equation is misguided. We've seen what happens when you take down a leader in a Middle Eastern country and leave a power vacuum. In Iraq, Egypt, Libya Yemen and now Syria, chaos reigns. If the Russians want to step into the mess let them. If they are occupied by Syria they are less likely to bother with former Soviet states in Europe.
2
Uuuoooooo..."we’ve asked our friends and partners in the region to ask tough questions of the Russians.” No doubt Putin is shaking with fear over such a get tough response by the USA.
This must be the "flexibility after the election" Obama promised Putin on Open Mike Night at the White House.
All the "Let's whack Russia upside the head" commenters leave an important question unanswered:
"If we do that, and Assad falls, who will take his place?"
Will it be the so-called "good rebels" we support? There must be a few dozen of them around – not counting the ones who've been captured and whose US-supplied weapons have been taken (and presumably used) by their captors. Or will we start backing the "middle" group – the al Nusra Front, who used to seem like really bad guys until ISIS came along.
Or will it be ISIS?
It will be either ISIS or Assad. That's real life. Russia sees that. Apparently the US government doesn't.
"If we do that, and Assad falls, who will take his place?"
Will it be the so-called "good rebels" we support? There must be a few dozen of them around – not counting the ones who've been captured and whose US-supplied weapons have been taken (and presumably used) by their captors. Or will we start backing the "middle" group – the al Nusra Front, who used to seem like really bad guys until ISIS came along.
Or will it be ISIS?
It will be either ISIS or Assad. That's real life. Russia sees that. Apparently the US government doesn't.
1
It would be nice to learn that all this concern and tension is just politics for public consumption, but behind the scenes, the US and Russia are really working together to destroy ISIS.
Is it risky for US interests to invite Russia to gain more influence? Sure, I suppose, but no less risky than interfering with efforts to battle ISIS. And what do we really have to lose or risk? Russia's going to build a new Mideast empire of its own? Ha! Doubtful...
Is it risky for US interests to invite Russia to gain more influence? Sure, I suppose, but no less risky than interfering with efforts to battle ISIS. And what do we really have to lose or risk? Russia's going to build a new Mideast empire of its own? Ha! Doubtful...
1
Why not let Putin and Russia get caught in this quagmire? Furthermore, the U.S. has no real right or interest in trying to determine the outcome of this mess short of containing ISIL.
We knew Russia would have gotten permission to overfly Iran and Iraq. Why the consternation? And would we be willing to confront Russia militarily? No sane person in the US would think that we would.
McCain thinks we need to confront Russia. It is a shame he did not become president.
When we were taking our war to Afghanistan it seems we got permission to fly over everyone's territory. A few complaints here and there. I hate to see this war scaling up. The sound bite, "Axis of Evil" has gotten this mess all twisted up. Could the NY Times run an investigation and find out which speech writers, staff, and administrators put those words in George W. Bush's mouth? Three little words, our mantra to guide our involvement in the Middle East. Three little words that broke America.
Something Frum. Dennis? Daniel? David. His wife was very proud of it, was emailing everyone.
So after those giant Russian Condor planes deliver yet more bombs & war to the region, Russia can retrofit those Condors to transport back to Russia their fair share of civilian refugees...
Assad's fate is Russia's fate in the Mideast: if they lose their bases in Tartus and Latakia, there chance to project power in one of the most strategically important regions of the world is gone. They have no intention to cooperate with the US, and defeating ISIS isn't their main objective. Their massive re-entry into the Syrian maelstrom signals their contempt for Obama, whose red lines meant nothing. Great powers, and Russia is the world's second, know that weakness creates a vacuum into which they can assert themselves. Is there any one still delusional enough (aside from Secretary of State Kerry and President Obama) that still imagines the Russians will help us see to it that Iran remains faithful to its "deal?" They will net immense profits from weapons' sales and more -- and the US will end up with nothing except an even greater reputation for feckless leadership and diplomacy that has no stick to insure it. Obama gave up missiles in Poland and the Czech Republic for his "reset" with Russia, watched them seize the Crimea and wage war in Ukraine, and watch his red lines turn pink then disappear. They are laughing at him in the Kremlin.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend unless he is also my enemy. That kind of clears things up.
Start by destroying the enemy most foul to all even though your former president is responsible for creating it and your current president is responsible for arming it.
Start by destroying the enemy most foul to all even though your former president is responsible for creating it and your current president is responsible for arming it.
US foreign policy under Obama has become a joke... nobody even cares what he says or does on an international stage anymore.
The word chaos comes to mind when you sum up this administration. Obama will focus more on climate change and continue his appeasement policies in the Middle East. It is after all Bush's fault we are in these messes.
Putin has outplayed Obama totally.
4
When Obama isn't hating on Israel he is caving into Iran and letting them get their NUKES. Our allies in the Middle East Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt have all been BETRAYED by Obama and NONE of them TRUST him further than they can spit, and they've all said so. Meanwhile outside of the Middle East Obama is also in full retreat. Putin has eaten Obama for lunch. Obama is the biggest disaster in all of U.S. history.
"In the meantime, ISIS is at the gates of Damascus. Is the U.S. waiting ... waiting for ISIS to reach Jerusalem, too?"
Oh, pashaw! What a worry-wart! ISIS may dislike Shiite or Alawite Muslims, but that's no reason to think they dislike Israeli Jews. Once they control Syria, I'm sure they'll leave Israel alone.
Oh, pashaw! What a worry-wart! ISIS may dislike Shiite or Alawite Muslims, but that's no reason to think they dislike Israeli Jews. Once they control Syria, I'm sure they'll leave Israel alone.
Barack "The Global Laughingstock" Obama. Absolutely no one with more than 3 hairs on their chest respects this guy. Even those who are getting a share of the record government handouts don't respect him. They just take the freebies.
To Russia, the Saudi decision to flood the global oil market is an act of war.
1
Time to draw a red line
But our 'friend' Saudi Arabia, you know the nation where the 9/11 hijackers came from, and which funds Sunni terror groups 'there' so they don't come 'here'- in Saudi Arabia, wants a Sunni bad guy to run Syria because Iran backs Assad.
1
Russia is doing us a favor if it manages to stabilize Syria. The last thing we need is a further emboldened ISIL and if Russia has the fortitude to stop them, good. Our refusal to acknowledge that Assad is part of the equation is misguided. We've seen what happens when you take down a leader in a Middle Eastern country and leave a power vacuum. In Iraq, Egypt, Libya Yemen and now Syria, chaos reigns. If the Russians want to step into the mess let them. If they are occupied by Syria they are less likely to bother with former Soviet states in Europe.
2
Uuuoooooo..."we’ve asked our friends and partners in the region to ask tough questions of the Russians.” No doubt Putin is shaking with fear over such a get tough response by the USA.
This must be the "flexibility after the election" Obama promised Putin on Open Mike Night at the White House.
All the "Let's whack Russia upside the head" commenters leave an important question unanswered:
"If we do that, and Assad falls, who will take his place?"
Will it be the so-called "good rebels" we support? There must be a few dozen of them around – not counting the ones who've been captured and whose US-supplied weapons have been taken (and presumably used) by their captors. Or will we start backing the "middle" group – the al Nusra Front, who used to seem like really bad guys until ISIS came along.
Or will it be ISIS?
It will be either ISIS or Assad. That's real life. Russia sees that. Apparently the US government doesn't.
"If we do that, and Assad falls, who will take his place?"
Will it be the so-called "good rebels" we support? There must be a few dozen of them around – not counting the ones who've been captured and whose US-supplied weapons have been taken (and presumably used) by their captors. Or will we start backing the "middle" group – the al Nusra Front, who used to seem like really bad guys until ISIS came along.
Or will it be ISIS?
It will be either ISIS or Assad. That's real life. Russia sees that. Apparently the US government doesn't.
1
It would be nice to learn that all this concern and tension is just politics for public consumption, but behind the scenes, the US and Russia are really working together to destroy ISIS.
Is it risky for US interests to invite Russia to gain more influence? Sure, I suppose, but no less risky than interfering with efforts to battle ISIS. And what do we really have to lose or risk? Russia's going to build a new Mideast empire of its own? Ha! Doubtful...
Is it risky for US interests to invite Russia to gain more influence? Sure, I suppose, but no less risky than interfering with efforts to battle ISIS. And what do we really have to lose or risk? Russia's going to build a new Mideast empire of its own? Ha! Doubtful...
1
Why not let Putin and Russia get caught in this quagmire? Furthermore, the U.S. has no real right or interest in trying to determine the outcome of this mess short of containing ISIL.
We knew Russia would have gotten permission to overfly Iran and Iraq. Why the consternation? And would we be willing to confront Russia militarily? No sane person in the US would think that we would.
McCain thinks we need to confront Russia. It is a shame he did not become president.
When we were taking our war to Afghanistan it seems we got permission to fly over everyone's territory. A few complaints here and there. I hate to see this war scaling up. The sound bite, "Axis of Evil" has gotten this mess all twisted up. Could the NY Times run an investigation and find out which speech writers, staff, and administrators put those words in George W. Bush's mouth? Three little words, our mantra to guide our involvement in the Middle East. Three little words that broke America.
Something Frum. Dennis? Daniel? David. His wife was very proud of it, was emailing everyone.
So after those giant Russian Condor planes deliver yet more bombs & war to the region, Russia can retrofit those Condors to transport back to Russia their fair share of civilian refugees...
Assad's fate is Russia's fate in the Mideast: if they lose their bases in Tartus and Latakia, there chance to project power in one of the most strategically important regions of the world is gone. They have no intention to cooperate with the US, and defeating ISIS isn't their main objective. Their massive re-entry into the Syrian maelstrom signals their contempt for Obama, whose red lines meant nothing. Great powers, and Russia is the world's second, know that weakness creates a vacuum into which they can assert themselves. Is there any one still delusional enough (aside from Secretary of State Kerry and President Obama) that still imagines the Russians will help us see to it that Iran remains faithful to its "deal?" They will net immense profits from weapons' sales and more -- and the US will end up with nothing except an even greater reputation for feckless leadership and diplomacy that has no stick to insure it. Obama gave up missiles in Poland and the Czech Republic for his "reset" with Russia, watched them seize the Crimea and wage war in Ukraine, and watch his red lines turn pink then disappear. They are laughing at him in the Kremlin.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend unless he is also my enemy. That kind of clears things up.
Start by destroying the enemy most foul to all even though your former president is responsible for creating it and your current president is responsible for arming it.
Start by destroying the enemy most foul to all even though your former president is responsible for creating it and your current president is responsible for arming it.
US foreign policy under Obama has become a joke... nobody even cares what he says or does on an international stage anymore.
1
The word chaos comes to mind when you sum up this administration. Obama will focus more on climate change and continue his appeasement policies in the Middle East. It is after all Bush's fault we are in these messes.
Putin has outplayed Obama totally.
5
When Obama isn't hating on Israel he is caving into Iran and letting them get their NUKES. Our allies in the Middle East Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt have all been BETRAYED by Obama and NONE of them TRUST him further than they can spit, and they've all said so. Meanwhile outside of the Middle East Obama is also in full retreat. Putin has eaten Obama for lunch. Obama is the biggest disaster in all of U.S. history.
1
People glorifying the supposed comparative boldness of Putin amuse me. Of course he does as he pleases, he's a dictator. The American people have made it crystal clear repeatedly that they will not support intervention in Syria. In a democracy, the President must actually listen to the American people and Americans are done with war, period. If the President's detractors are looking for who is to blame for that, they can look at the unprofessionalism and waste of the Bush administration.
23
Exactly, that's why we should be happy to let the Russians do it.
1
Not sure were you have been for the last 6 years, but I assure you that the community organizer has not listened to the American people at any time during that period. American people have said NO to suicide treaty with Iran, NO to the bankrupting wealth distribution of Obama Care, NO to increasing the National Debt, NO to increasing illegal immigration to U.S, YES to closing the borders with a massive fence. The man with the narcissistic illness has said all of the American people are wrong and his own advisors are wrong but he is right therefore he ignored the Constitution and did what all narcissist do-what he likes. And he is fulfilling his promise to transform America into a third world country.
Unfortunately for your "argument", 0bama also considers himself a dictator and is treated as one by the feckless Congress. You cannot rationally blame 0bama's dictatorial incompetence on Bush or anyone else (except maybe Boehner and McConnell).
People glorifying the supposed comparative boldness of Putin amuse me. Of course he does as he pleases, he's a dictator. The American people have made it crystal clear repeatedly that they will not support intervention in Syria. In a democracy, the President must actually listen to the American people and Americans are done with war, period. If the President's detractors are looking for who is to blame for that, they can look at the unprofessionalism and waste of the Bush administration.
51
Exactly, that's why we should be happy to let the Russians do it.
1
Not sure were you have been for the last 6 years, but I assure you that the community organizer has not listened to the American people at any time during that period. American people have said NO to suicide treaty with Iran, NO to the bankrupting wealth distribution of Obama Care, NO to increasing the National Debt, NO to increasing illegal immigration to U.S, YES to closing the borders with a massive fence. The man with the narcissistic illness has said all of the American people are wrong and his own advisors are wrong but he is right therefore he ignored the Constitution and did what all narcissist do-what he likes. And he is fulfilling his promise to transform America into a third world country.
Unfortunately for your "argument", 0bama also considers himself a dictator and is treated as one by the feckless Congress. You cannot rationally blame 0bama's dictatorial incompetence on Bush or anyone else (except maybe Boehner and McConnell).
Obama's a (w)ussy. The Russians, Syrians, Iraquis an Iranians know this, so they disregard his feeble protestations.
Russia..............Move Aside!!!!!
I Can not Target ASSAD Oops I mean ISIS if You block my View!!!!
I Can not Target ASSAD Oops I mean ISIS if You block my View!!!!
Talk about arrogance. The U.S. allies Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey fund and arm ISIS and Al Nusra, but the U.S. objects to Russia helping Syria fight these savages. The backward logic of American foreign policy is simply amazing.
The U.S. flies over other countries' air space without permission all the time, whenever we feel like it. We not only fly over, we bomb, attack with drones, land special forces, you name it.
1
“Stark American warnings.” What a joke. Putin doesn’t want Assad to go the way of Qaddafi ,or the Christians and Alawites to be hunted own and slaughtered by ISIS and al Qaeda. What’s wrong with that?
Sorry, but the US doesn’t own Syria and can’t dictate how Russia conducts itself with its old ally, or in defense of its last Mediterranean naval base.
Sorry, but the US doesn’t own Syria and can’t dictate how Russia conducts itself with its old ally, or in defense of its last Mediterranean naval base.
1
Shut up America you were not invited into Syria like Russia. Russia has a base over there. Americans have become the most hypocritical nation on earth.
Here's a commenter who's got it all figured out -- not:
"Time to start shooting down Russian military aircraft that breach that airspace. Putin only understands such brash responses. He will stop once we show him we mean business. He has no clue what diplomacy is."
ISIS fighters undoubtedly will sit on their hands while the US and Russia work out their differences in the skies overhead. Only THEN will those ISIS fighters move forward and commit more horrible atrocities, because, after all, ISIS DOES understand diplomacy.
Or -- who knows? -- maybe ISIS won't wait around. Maybe it will just keep killing innocent people while US fighter jets shoot down Russian fighter jets (or vice-versa) in the skies overhead.
Either way, I guess, it will work out to ISIS' benefit. Whether its murderous fighters press forward now or later, at least they'll have less resistance when they do. The US and Russian armies that might have opposed them will be pre-occupied fighting each other.
Sounds like a plan, comment-writer. Have you volunteered yet?
"Time to start shooting down Russian military aircraft that breach that airspace. Putin only understands such brash responses. He will stop once we show him we mean business. He has no clue what diplomacy is."
ISIS fighters undoubtedly will sit on their hands while the US and Russia work out their differences in the skies overhead. Only THEN will those ISIS fighters move forward and commit more horrible atrocities, because, after all, ISIS DOES understand diplomacy.
Or -- who knows? -- maybe ISIS won't wait around. Maybe it will just keep killing innocent people while US fighter jets shoot down Russian fighter jets (or vice-versa) in the skies overhead.
Either way, I guess, it will work out to ISIS' benefit. Whether its murderous fighters press forward now or later, at least they'll have less resistance when they do. The US and Russian armies that might have opposed them will be pre-occupied fighting each other.
Sounds like a plan, comment-writer. Have you volunteered yet?
Freeze all major Russian banking assets. Not some. All.
Flood the oil market with strategic reserves.
Freeze the major holdings of Oligarchs and other wealthy I'm NY and Miami, Give them 48 hours to leave the country
Shut down Pitin's stolen assets.
Freeze all flights between Russia and the US.
issue no visas to US. Including student visas.
Triple green cards of every Russian in U.S.
Flood the oil market with strategic reserves.
Freeze the major holdings of Oligarchs and other wealthy I'm NY and Miami, Give them 48 hours to leave the country
Shut down Pitin's stolen assets.
Freeze all flights between Russia and the US.
issue no visas to US. Including student visas.
Triple green cards of every Russian in U.S.
Obama drew a 'red line in the sand' over the slaughter of Syrians by Assad and his henchman BUT then backed away! Where was the backbone that Clinton showed with his bombing of Serbia for more than three months to end the suffering there? Obama had a real chance to do the same but for some reason he turned tail and failed!
The US has shown that it is no better than any of it's detractors by openly siding with extremist Sunni rebels against Assad, all in the desire to oppose someone who sides with Iran and of course keeping Israel in mind.
This dirty strategic calculations is what makes US a hypocritical country when it tries to chide Russia.
This dirty strategic calculations is what makes US a hypocritical country when it tries to chide Russia.
1
Yes...Russia allows the US to use its airspace for shipments to Afghanistan. It seems that is a point some people here either don't know or don't want to consider because it ruins their narrative.
Reality check good cop bad cop its just game of selling arms which usa is biggest arms dealers in world
I view Russia's desire to increase its presence in the Mideast as a perfect opportunity for the United States to begin our long and painful disengagement from overzealous intervention in Mideast affairs.
We are on the verge of a breakthrough in negotiating a slowdown in Iran's nuclear progress. Let's take that as a victory and give the Russians a chance to see whether they can accomplish what we have been so clearly unable to do.
We are on the verge of a breakthrough in negotiating a slowdown in Iran's nuclear progress. Let's take that as a victory and give the Russians a chance to see whether they can accomplish what we have been so clearly unable to do.
Is this a Susan Rice and John Kerry stipulation? I really didn't think after Libya, Obama would be so callous to follow this advice.
We are supporting the heinous Saudis in invading and murdering the people of Yemen with arms and logistics and we call into question Russia's support for Assad?
The French are flying sorties against ISIS. So are the Brits. Are we supporting ISIS since we don't want the Russians to help out Assad who is fighting against that murderous group?
Who is advising Obama on this policy? Must be rather intellectually challenged.
We are supporting the heinous Saudis in invading and murdering the people of Yemen with arms and logistics and we call into question Russia's support for Assad?
The French are flying sorties against ISIS. So are the Brits. Are we supporting ISIS since we don't want the Russians to help out Assad who is fighting against that murderous group?
Who is advising Obama on this policy? Must be rather intellectually challenged.
1
Obama's a (w)ussy. The Russians, Syrians, Iraquis an Iranians know this, so they disregard his feeble protestations.
Russia..............Move Aside!!!!!
I Can not Target ASSAD Oops I mean ISIS if You block my View!!!!
I Can not Target ASSAD Oops I mean ISIS if You block my View!!!!
Talk about arrogance. The U.S. allies Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey fund and arm ISIS and Al Nusra, but the U.S. objects to Russia helping Syria fight these savages. The backward logic of American foreign policy is simply amazing.
The U.S. flies over other countries' air space without permission all the time, whenever we feel like it. We not only fly over, we bomb, attack with drones, land special forces, you name it.
1
“Stark American warnings.” What a joke. Putin doesn’t want Assad to go the way of Qaddafi ,or the Christians and Alawites to be hunted own and slaughtered by ISIS and al Qaeda. What’s wrong with that?
Sorry, but the US doesn’t own Syria and can’t dictate how Russia conducts itself with its old ally, or in defense of its last Mediterranean naval base.
Sorry, but the US doesn’t own Syria and can’t dictate how Russia conducts itself with its old ally, or in defense of its last Mediterranean naval base.
1
Shut up America you were not invited into Syria like Russia. Russia has a base over there. Americans have become the most hypocritical nation on earth.
1
Here's a commenter who's got it all figured out -- not:
"Time to start shooting down Russian military aircraft that breach that airspace. Putin only understands such brash responses. He will stop once we show him we mean business. He has no clue what diplomacy is."
ISIS fighters undoubtedly will sit on their hands while the US and Russia work out their differences in the skies overhead. Only THEN will those ISIS fighters move forward and commit more horrible atrocities, because, after all, ISIS DOES understand diplomacy.
Or -- who knows? -- maybe ISIS won't wait around. Maybe it will just keep killing innocent people while US fighter jets shoot down Russian fighter jets (or vice-versa) in the skies overhead.
Either way, I guess, it will work out to ISIS' benefit. Whether its murderous fighters press forward now or later, at least they'll have less resistance when they do. The US and Russian armies that might have opposed them will be pre-occupied fighting each other.
Sounds like a plan, comment-writer. Have you volunteered yet?
"Time to start shooting down Russian military aircraft that breach that airspace. Putin only understands such brash responses. He will stop once we show him we mean business. He has no clue what diplomacy is."
ISIS fighters undoubtedly will sit on their hands while the US and Russia work out their differences in the skies overhead. Only THEN will those ISIS fighters move forward and commit more horrible atrocities, because, after all, ISIS DOES understand diplomacy.
Or -- who knows? -- maybe ISIS won't wait around. Maybe it will just keep killing innocent people while US fighter jets shoot down Russian fighter jets (or vice-versa) in the skies overhead.
Either way, I guess, it will work out to ISIS' benefit. Whether its murderous fighters press forward now or later, at least they'll have less resistance when they do. The US and Russian armies that might have opposed them will be pre-occupied fighting each other.
Sounds like a plan, comment-writer. Have you volunteered yet?
Freeze all major Russian banking assets. Not some. All.
Flood the oil market with strategic reserves.
Freeze the major holdings of Oligarchs and other wealthy I'm NY and Miami, Give them 48 hours to leave the country
Shut down Pitin's stolen assets.
Freeze all flights between Russia and the US.
issue no visas to US. Including student visas.
Triple green cards of every Russian in U.S.
Flood the oil market with strategic reserves.
Freeze the major holdings of Oligarchs and other wealthy I'm NY and Miami, Give them 48 hours to leave the country
Shut down Pitin's stolen assets.
Freeze all flights between Russia and the US.
issue no visas to US. Including student visas.
Triple green cards of every Russian in U.S.