Russia May Use Nukes to Oppose Saudi Invasion of Syria [Archive]

mick silver

12th February 2016, 06:14 AM

How Zionism helped create the Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaMiddle East (http://mondoweiss.net/middle-east/) Nu'man Abd al-Wahid (http://mondoweiss.net/author/numan/) on January 7, 2016 36 Comments (http://mondoweiss.net/2016/01/zionism-kingdom-arabia/#comments)

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Abdel Aziz Ibn Saud with Sir Percy Cox



The covert alliance between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Zionist entity of Israel should be no surprise to any student of British imperialism. The problem is the study of British imperialism has very few students. Indeed, one can peruse any undergraduate or post-graduate British university prospectus and rarely find a module in a Politics degree on the British Empire let alone a dedicated degree or Masters degree. Of course if the European led imperialist carnage in the four years between 1914 – 1918 tickles your cerebral cells then it’s not too difficult to find an appropriate institution (http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.postgraduatesearch.com%2Fun iversity-of-birmingham%2F52994390%2Fpostgraduate-course.htm&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGjhucGGYVoUDWswCNxXK0aOhZoUw) to teach this subject, but if you would like to delve into how and why the British Empire waged war on mankind for almost four hundred years you’re practically on your own in this endeavour. One must admit, that from the British establishment’s perspective, this is a formidable and remarkable achievement.
In late 2014, according to the American journal, “Foreign Affairs (https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foreignaffairs.com%2Fartic les%2Fmiddle-east%2F2015-03-13%2Frivals-benefits&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEOs3gONT2NhYtKNsjzObLOZEJPww)”, the Saudi petroleum Minister, Ali al-Naimi is reported to have said “His Majesty King Abdullah has always been a model for good relations between Saudi Arabia and other states and the Jewish state is no exception.” Recently, Abdullah’s successor, King Salman expressed similar concerns to those of Israel’s to the growing agreement between the United States and Iran over the latter’s nuclear programme. This led some to report that Israel and KSA presented a “united front (http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraph.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fwo rldnews%2Fmiddleeast%2Firan%2F11739349%2FIsrael-and-Saudi-Arabia-present-united-front-over-Iran-deal.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEbJslqEPeW6Gpe8Swcl9l-UZrX4w)” in their opposition to the nuclear deal. This was not the first time the Zionists and Saudis have found themselves in the same corner in dealing with a perceived common foe. In North Yemen in the 1960’s, the Saudis were financing a British imperialist led mercenary army campaign against revolutionary republicans who had assumed authority after overthrowing the authoritarian, Imam. Gamal Abdul-Nasser’s Egypt militarily backed the republicans, while the British induced the Saudis to finance and arm the remaining remnants of the Imam’s supporters. Furthermore, the British organised the Israelis to drop arms for the British proxies in North Yemen, 14 times (https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foreignaffairs.com%2Fartic les%2Fmiddle-east%2F2015-03-13%2Frivals-benefits&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEOs3gONT2NhYtKNsjzObLOZEJPww). The British, in effect, militarily but covertly, brought the Zionists and Saudis together in 1960’s North Yemen against their common foe.
However, one must go back to the 1920’s to fully appreciate the origins of this informal and indirect alliance between Saudi Arabia and the Zionist entity. The defeat of the Ottoman Empire by British imperialism in World War One, left three distinct authorities in the Arabian peninsula: Sharif of Hijaz: Hussain bin Ali of Hijaz (in the west), Ibn Rashid of Ha’il (in the north) and Emir Ibn Saud of Najd (in the east) and his religiously fanatical followers, the Wahhabis.
Ibn Saud had entered the war early in January 1915 on the side of the British, but was quickly defeated and his British handler, William Shakespear was killed by the Ottoman Empire’s ally Ibn Rashid. This defeat greatly hampered Ibn Saud’s utility to the Empire and left him militarily hamstrung for a year.[1] The Sharif contributed the most to the Ottoman Empire’s defeat by switching allegiances and leading the so-called ‘Arab Revolt’ in June 1916 which removed the Turkish presence from Arabia. He was convinced to totally alter his position because the British had strongly led him to believe, via correspondence with Henry McMahon, the British High Commissioner in Egypt, that a unified Arab country from Gaza to the Persian Gulf will be established with the defeat of the Turks. The letters exchanged between Sharif Hussain and Henry McMahon are known as the McMahon-Hussain Correspondence.
Understandably, the Sharif as soon as the war ended wanted to hold the British to their war time promises, or what he perceived to be their war time promises, as expressed in the aforementioned correspondence. The British, on the other hand, wanted the Sharif to accept the Empire’s new reality which was a division of the Arab world between them and the French (Sykes-Picot agreement) and the implementation of the Balfour Declaration (http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fmondoweiss.net%2F2012%2F11%2Fth e-suez-canal-and-the-british-empires-need-for-the-balfour-declaration&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG4rXh4gf1aPsJsWspnZsJ2iU-4LA), which guaranteed ‘a national for the Jewish people’ in Palestine by colonisation with European Jews. This new reality was contained in the British written, Anglo-Hijaz Treaty, which the Sharif was profoundly averse to signing.[2] After all, the revolt of 1916 against the Turks was dubbed the ‘Arab Revolt’ not the ‘Hijazi Revolt’.
Actually, the Sharif let it be known that he will never sell out Palestine to the Empire’s Balfour Declaration; he will never acquiescence to the establishment of Zionism in Palestine or accept the new random borders drawn across Arabia by British and French imperialists. For their part the British began referring to him as an ‘obstructionist’, a ‘nuisance’ and of having a ‘recalcitrant’ attitude.
The British let it be known to the Sharif that they were prepared to take drastic measures to bring about his approval of the new reality regardless of the service that he had rendered them during the War. After the Cairo Conference in March 1921, where the new Colonial Secretary Winston Churchill met with all the British operatives in the Middle East, T.E. Lawrence (i.e. of Arabia) was dispatched to meet the Sharif to bribe and bully him to accept Britain’s Zionist colonial project in Palestine. Initially, Lawrence and the Empire offered 80,000 rupees.[3] The Sharif rejected it outright. Lawrence then offered him an annual payment of £100,000.[4] The Sharif refused to compromise and sell Palestine to British Zionism.
When financial bribery failed to persuade the Sharif, Lawrence threatened him with an Ibn Saud takeover. Lawrence claimed that “politically and militarily, the survival of Hijaz as a viable independent Hashemite kingdom was wholly dependent on the political will of Britain, who had the means to protect and maintain his rule in the region.” [5] In between negotiating with the Sharif, Lawrence made the time to visit other leaders in the Arabian peninsula and informed them that they if they don’t tow the British line and avoid entering into an alliance with the Sharif, the Empire will unleash Ibn Saud and his Wahhabis who after all is at Britain’s ‘beck and call’.[6]
Simultaneously, after the Conference, Churchill travelled to Jerusalem and met with the Sharif’s son, Abdullah, who had been made the ruler, “Emir”, of a new territory called “Transjordan.” Churchill informed Abdullah that he should persuade “his father to accept the Palestine mandate and sign a treaty to such effect,” if not “the British would unleash Ibn Saud against Hijaz.”[7] In the meantime the British were planning to unleash Ibn Saud on the ruler of Ha’il, Ibn Rashid.
Ibn Rashid had rejected all overtures from the British Empire made to him via Ibn Saud, to be another of its puppets.[8] More so, Ibn Rashid expanded his territory north to the new mandated Palestinian border as well as to the borders of Iraq in the summer of 1920. The British became concerned that an alliance maybe brewing between Ibn Rashid who controlled the northern part of the peninsula and the Sharif who controlled the western part. More so, the Empire wanted the land routes between the Palestinian ports on the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf under the rule of a friendly party. At the Cairo Conference, Churchill agreed with an imperial officer, Sir Percy Cox that “Ibn Saud should be ‘given the opportunity to occupy Hail.’”[9] By the end of 1920, the British were showering Ibn Saud with “a monthly ‘grant’ of £10,000 in gold, on top of his monthly subsidy. He also received abundant arms supplies, totalling more than 10,000 rifles, in addition to the critical siege and four field guns” with British-Indian instructors.[10] Finally, in September 1921, the British unleashed Ibn Saud on Ha’il which officially surrendered in November 1921. It was after this victory the British bestowed a new title on Ibn Saud. He was no longer to be “Emir of Najd and Chief of its Tribes” but “Sultan of Najd and its Dependencies”. Ha’il had dissolved into a dependency of the Empire’s Sultan of Najd.
If the Empire thought that the Sharif, with Ibn Saud now on his border and armed to the teeth by the British, would finally become more amenable to the division of Arabia and the British Zionist colonial project in Palestine they were short lived. A new round of talks between Abdulla’s son, acting on behalf of his father in Transjordan and the Empire resulted in a draft treaty accepting Zionism. When it was delivered to the Sharif with an accompanying letter from his son requesting that he “accept reality”, he didn’t even bother to read the treaty and instead composed a draft treaty himself rejecting the new divisions of Arabia as well as the Balfour Declaration and sent it to London to be ratified![11]
Ever since 1919 the British had gradually decreased Hussain’s subsidy to the extent that by the early 1920’s they had suspended it, while at the same time continued subsidising Ibn Saud right through the early 1920’s.[12] After a further three rounds of negotiations in Amman and London, it dawned on the Empire that Hussain will never relinquish Palestine to Great Britain’s Zionist project or accept the new divisions in Arab lands.[13]In March 1923, the British informed Ibn Saud that it will cease his subsidy but not without awarding him an advance ‘grant’ of £50,000 upfront, which amounted to a year’s subsidy.[14]
In March 1924, a year after the British awarded the ‘grant’ to Ibn Saud, the Empire announced that it had terminated all discussions with Sharif Hussain to reach an agreement.[15] Within weeks the forces of Ibn Saud and his Wahhabi followers began to administer what the British foreign secretary, Lord Curzon called the “final kick” to Sharif Hussain and attacked Hijazi territory.[16] By September 1924, Ibn Saud had overrun the summer capital of Sharif Hussain, Ta’if. The Empire then wrote to Sharif’s sons, who had been awarded kingdoms in Iraq and Transjordan not to provide any assistance to their besieged father or in diplomatic terms they were informed “to give no countenance to interference in the Hedjaz”.[17] In Ta’if, Ibn Saud’s Wahhabis committed their customary massacres, slaughtering women and children as well as going into mosques and killing traditional Islamic scholars.[18] They captured the holiest place in Islam, Mecca, in mid-October 1924. Sharif Hussain was forced to abdicate and went to exile to the Hijazi port of Akaba. He was replaced as monarch by his son Ali who made Jeddah his governmental base. As Ibn Saud moved to lay siege to the rest of Hijaz, the British found the time to begin incorporating the northern Hijazi port of Akaba into Transjordan. Fearing that Sharif Hussain may use Akaba as a base to rally Arabs against the Empire’s Ibn Saud, the Empire let it be known that in no uncertain terms that he must leave Akaba or Ibn Saud will attack the port. For his part, Sharif Hussain responded that he had,

“never acknowledged the mandates on Arab countries and still protest against the British Government which has made Palestine a national home for the Jews.”[19]
Sharif Hussain was forced out of Akaba, a port he had liberated from the Ottoman Empire during the ‘Arab Revolt’, on the 18th June 1925 on HMS Cornflower.
Ibn Saud had begun his siege of Jeddah in January 1925 and the city finally surrendered in December 1925 bringing to an end over 1000 years of rule by the Prophet Muhammad’s descendants. The British officially recognised Ibn Saud as the new King of Hijaz in February 1926 with other European powers following suit within weeks. The new unified Wahhabi state was rebranded by the Empire in 1932 as the “Kingdom of Saudi Arabia” (KSA). A certain George Rendel, an officer working at the Middle East desk at the Foreign Office in London, claimed credit for the new name.
On the propaganda level, the British served the Wahhabi takeover of Hijaz on three fronts. Firstly, they portrayed and argued that Ibn Saud’s invasion of Hijaz was motivated by religious fanaticism rather than by British imperialism’s geo-political considerations.[20] This deception is propounded to this day, most recently in Adam Curtis’s acclaimed BBC “Bitter Lake (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-f7HurBaKM&feature=player_detailpage#t=3190)” documentary, whereby he states that the “fierce intolerant vision of wahhabism” drove the “beduins” to create Saudi Arabia.[21] Secondly, the British portrayed Ibn Saud’s Wahhabi fanatics as a benign and misunderstood force who only wanted to bring Islam back to its purest form.[22] To this day, these Islamist jihadis are portrayed in the most benign manner when their armed insurrections is supported by Britain and the West such as 1980’s Afghanistan or in today’s Syria, where they are referred to in the western media as “moderate rebels (http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Ftherealnews.com%2Ft2%2Findex.ph p%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26task%3Dview%26id%3D31%2 6Itemid%3D74%26jumival%3D12373&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFb6YAG4b152OFXEuuQgVzlKK1m3w).” Thirdly, British historians portray Ibn Saud as an independent force and not as a British instrument used to horn away anyone perceived to be surplus to imperial requirements. For example, Professor Eugene Rogan’s recent study on the history on Arabs claims that “Ibn Saud had no interest in fighting” the Ottoman Empire. This is far from accurate as Ibn Saud joined the war in 1915. He further disingenuously claims that Ibn Saud was only interested in advancing “his own objectives” which fortuitously always dovetailed with those of the British Empire.[23]
In conclusion, one of the most overlooked aspects of the Balfour Declaration is the British Empire’s commitment to “use their best endeavours to facilitate” the creation of “a national home for the Jewish people”. Obviously, many nations in the world today were created by the Empire but what makes Saudi Arabia’s borders distinctive is that its northern and north-eastern borders are the product of the Empire facilitating the creation of Israel. At the very least the dissolution of the two Arab sheikhdoms of Ha’il and Hijaz by Ibn Saud’s Wahhabis is based in their leaders’ rejection to facilitate the British Empire’s Zionist project in Palestine.
Therefore, it is very clear that the British Empire’s drive to impose Zionism in Palestine is embedded in the geographical DNA of contemporary Saudi Arabia. There is further irony in the fact that the two holiest sites in Islam are today governed by the Saudi clan and Wahhabi teachings because the Empire was laying the foundations for Zionism in Palestine in the 1920s. Contemporaneously, it is no surprise that both Israel (http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.csmonitor.com%2FWorld%2FMid dle-East%2F2014%2F1207%2FUN-reports-Israeli-support-for-Syria-rebels&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGhPs9LrXOkRslSu8xe8EqyQ5XFsw) and Saudi Arabia (http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fuk.businessinsider.com%2Fsaudi-arabias-intensified-support-to-syrian-rebels-is-reportedly-slowing-regime-advances-2015-11%3Fr%3DUS%26IR%3DT&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGjA8y2f1Q2k5eRDFwe0D3PRIXWKQ) are keen in militarily intervening on the side of “moderate rebels” i.e. jihadis, in the current war on Syria, a country which covertly and overtly rejects the Zionist colonisation of Palestine.
As the United States, the ‘successor’ to the British Empire in defending western interests in the Middle East, is perceived to be growing more hesitant in engaging militarily in the Middle East, there is an inevitability that the two nations rooted in the Empire’s Balfour Declaration, Israel and Saudi Arabia, would develop a more overt alliance to defend their common interests.
Notes
[1] Gary Troeller, “The Birth of Saudi Arabia” (London: Frank Cass, 1976) pg.91.
[2] Askar H. al-Enazy, “ The Creation of Saudi Arabia: Ibn Saud and British Imperial Policy, 1914-1927” (London: Routledge, 2010), pg. 105-106.
[3] ibid., pg. 109.
[4] ibid., pg.111.
[5] ibid.
[6] ibid.
[7] ibid., pg 107.
[8] ibid., pg. 45-46 and pg.101-102.
[9] ibid., pg.104.
[10] ibid.
[11] ibid., pg. 113.
[12] ibid., pg.110 and Troeller, op. cit., pg.166.
[13] al-Enazy op cit., pg.112-125.
[14] al-Enazy, op. cit., pg.120.
[15] ibid., pg.129.
[16] ibid., pg. 106 and Troeller op. cit., 152.
[17] al-Enazy, op. cit., pg. 136 and Troeller op. cit., pg.219.
[18] David Howarth, “The Desert King: The Life of Ibn Saud” (London: Quartet Books, 1980), pg. 133 and Randall Baker, “King Husain and the Kingdom of Hejaz” (Cambridge: The Oleander Press, 1979), pg.201-202.
[19] Quoted in al-Enazy op. cit., pg. 144.
[20] ibid., pg. 138 and Troeller op. cit., pg. 216.
[21]In the original full length BBC iPlayer version this segment begins towards the end at 2 hrs 12 minutes 24 seconds.
[22] al-Enazy op. cit., pg. 153.
[23] Eugene Rogan, “The Arabs: A History”, (London: Penguin Books, 2009), pg.220.

- See more at: http://mondoweiss.net/2016/01/zionism-kingdom-arabia/#sthash.xnkewQBg.dpuf

mick silver

13th February 2016, 06:22 AM

SouthFront: The Turkish 2nd Army. Invasion Force for Syria
http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/12/southfront-the-turkish-2nd-army-invasion-force-for-syria/ By South Front (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/southfront/) on February 12, 2016

Amid Turkish preparations for a military intervention in Syria, main stream media and think tanks prefer to provide political speculations and local rumors instead of facts and analysis. SouthFront: Analysis & Intelligence stands on another ground and provides an exclusive paper studying the Turkish military grouping which will be likely used in this operation. We also recommend that you view an exclusive video ‘Foreign Policy Diary – Turkey’s military intervention to Syria (http://southfront.org/foreign-policy-diary-turkeys-military-intervention-to-syria/)‘, which covers the possible results of this act of aggression.
Written by Brian Kalman exclusively for SouthFront: Analysis & Intelligence. Brian Kalman is a management professional in the marine transportation industry. He was an officer in the US Navy for eleven years. He currently resides and works in the Caribbean.

Recent public comments by the Turkish government have hinted at a possible invasion into Syrian territory to “stabilize” the situation and secure Turkey’s national security. Significant clashes between Turkish army and security forces with elements of the YPG and PKK, which have exacted a costly toll on the Kurdish civilian population have been raging in southern Turkey and northern Syria in recent months. Russian satellite surveillance and human intelligence employed by both Russian and Syria in the region have confirmed the build-up of troops and material on the border.
It is reasonable to believe that Turkey is preparing to salvage its failed policy of supporting Islamic fundamentalist mercenaries and terrorist groups in Syria by invading and establishing a safe area for these groups along its southern border with Syria, while at the same time dealing a crushing blow to the Kurdish forces that have been successful in fighting them. Turkey is not only trying to topple the Assad government in Syrian, but is also trying to liquidate the Kurdish threat both in Iraq and Syria, as well as within its own borders.
Turkey’s membership in NATO complicates its plans of invasion. Unless Turkey is itself attacked, the NATO alliance is not obligated to defend the nation. Turkey will have to engineer a provocation that frames it as the target of an aggression either by Kurdish forces from beyond its borders or by Syrian or Russian forces combating its terrorist allies in Syria. Such a false flag provocation in not outside of the realm of possibility. When a Turkish F-16 shot down a Russian Su-24, claims that the bomber had strayed into Turkish airspace for a number of minutes and ignored radio warnings from the Turkish aircraft were proven to be patently false. A year earlier in 2014, an audio recording of Turkish officials, including the head of the Security Service (MIT), Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Foreign Minister and the Undersecretary to the Foreign Minister discussing staging an attack on the Tomb of Suleiman Shah (a sovereign piece of Turkish territory) in Syria and using it as a pretext to intervene in Syria were leaked anonymously on YouTube. The Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan responded by banning YouTube in Turkey, in affect giving support to the recordings authenticity. Now that the Syrian government has the upper hand militarily, gaining back territory and destroying, surrounding or pushing back various Turkish-backed terrorist forces, Turkey may be ready to engineer a new excuse to invade.

It is most likely that elements of the Turkish Second Army are positioned along the southern border with Syria, and will form the nucleus of any invasion force. The 2nd Army is responsible for defending Southwestern Turkey. Its headquarters is based in Malatya, with approximately 100,000 troops under its command. The army is comprised of three corps, the 4th, 6th and 7th which are composed of the following units:

3rd Tactical Infantry Division
28th Mechanized Infantry Brigade
58th Artillery Brigade
1st Commando Brigade
2nd Commando Brigade
5th Armored Brigade
39th Mechanized Infantry Brigade
106th Artillery Regiment
34th Border Brigade
16th Mechanized Brigade (Diyarbakır)
20th Armored Brigade
70th Mechanized Infantry Brigade
172nd Armored Brigade
2nd Motorized Infantry Brigade
6th Motorized Infantry Brigade
3rd Commando Brigade
107th Artillery Regiment

It is not known how many elements of the 2nd Army have been committed to the build-up of forces on the border, nor how many elements of other Armies of the Turkish Armed Forces have been temporarily attached to this possible invasion force. Additional commando or mechanized units could be pooled from other military districts and added to the core of mechanized infantry, armor and artillery forces of the 2nd Army. It is surmised that most of the 2nd Army has been committed to a possible invasion or a limited offensive operation against the forces of the YPG all along the border. The map below shows the position of these units:
http://southfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/map.jpgPhotographic evidence shows that the mechanized and armored forces being used in the internal operations against the Kurds within Turkey and Syria and also the incursion into northern Iraq, are composed of relatively modern tanks and infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs). Reports have recently been made public that over 1,000 pieces of military equipment, likely consisting of MBTs, IFVs, self-propelled and towed artillery and their prime movers, as well as trucks and light vehicles have been massing in staging areas just north of the border. Turkish military spokesmen have stressed that they have positioned approximately 30 percent of the Turkish land forces along the border with Syria.
The troops belonging to these units are highly trained and motivated. They have been engaged in fighting in the border regions for many years and know the territory well. They have also been engaged in fighting the irregular forces of the PKK in urban areas for decades. The forces assembled are equipped with modern, effective combat arms and equipment that has been proven in battle.
From video and photographic evidence, Turkey has deployed at least the following types of equipment:
MBTs:

M-60T (Turkish version of the Israeli Sabra Mk.II).Turkey has 170 M-60-Ts in service. This modernized and up-gunner version of the M-60, is an Israeli design. It boasts better armor protection than the M-60A3, as well as a more powerful 120mm main gun and better fire-control and imaging systems.

M-60 ATT and A3. Turkey has 762 of these U.S. designed tanks in service. This is a sound tank design, but is not on par with later generation MBTs. Armored units, possibly of the 5th, 20th or 172nd Armored Brigades utilizing large numbers of these tanks have been seen deploying to the southern border in the previous weeks. They were used during incursions into Syria and Iraq in earlier operations to combat Kurdish forces in both nations.

http://southfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/map2.jpg
Leopard 2A4. Turkey has 354 of these highly capable German manufactured tanks. It does not appear that these MBTs are in use by any of the armored units currently deployed in operations against the Kurds in the south of the country, nor incursions into Syria or Iraq. It is most likely that these more capable MBTs are with units tasked with guarding Turkey’s border with Russia and the Caucasus, where they would have to fight against a much more capable adversary, utilizing more modern and capable MBTS and Anti-Tank (AT) weapons.
IFVs:

FNSS ACV-15. Based on the Turkish Army’s experience with the U.S. M113, the ACV-15 is an indigenous design that has many variants including APCs, Mortar Carriers, Ambulances, and ARVs. The IFV is equipped with a 25mm cannon.

http://southfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/map3.jpgA recent photograph of a mechanized unit equipped with ACV-15s assembled in the Turkish town of Suruc, approximately 100 miles north of the Syrian city and stronghold of ISIS, Raqqa.

MRAPs:

Kirpi (Hedgehog). Turkey acquired MRAPs after the U.S. invasion of Iraq exhibited the weakness of most light vehicles when confronted with IEDs and urban ambush. Turkey has between 200 and 600 MRAPs of this indigenous design.

http://southfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/map4.jpgTurkish Army Kirpi MRAP on duty somewhere in southern Turkey.

Approximately 1200 of these small MRAPs exist in the Turkish Land Forces inventory. These are small utility vehicles much like the Russian Tiger or U.S. HUMMV; however they have increased survivability against mines and IEDs, as they were purpose built to deal with these threats. They are widely used by all Turkish land forces, including border and internal security forces.

http://southfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/map5.jpgCobras being utilized by a Turkish Army Border Brigade in southern Turkey.

Self- Propelled Artillery:

T-155 Firtina self-propelled howitzer. The T-155 was the product of a joint venture with South Korea to develop a more modern self-propelled howitzer. The South Korean variant is known as the K9. The Turkish Firtina makes use of the chassis and 155mm/L52 gun of the South Korean K-9, but uses an indigenous turret design, and navigation, communications and fire-control systems. There are at least 280 units in service with the Turkish Army.

http://southfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/map6.jpgT-155 self-propelled howitzers on the firing line.

M-52T self-propelled howitzer. A major modernization program was conducted in the 1990s to modernize a weapons system that was developed in the 1950s by the United States. The vehicle was up-gunned from a 105mm howitzer to a German produced 155mm L39 gun. Turret design was modernized and electronics systems were brought up to modern standards including communications and fire-control. There are at least 360 units in service.

http://southfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/map7.jpgM-52Ts being moved into forward positions via prime movers in recent weeks. This is faster, more efficient and aids in overall maintenance when moving military hardware over long distances.

Air-Defense Artillery:

Atilgan and Zipkin short range AA missile system. These pedestal mounted air defense systems (PMAD) have been mounted on various vehicles, including the ubiquitous ACV-15 and M-113. They can fire Igla or Stinger short range anti-aircraft missiles. They are deployed with mechanized and armored units to give them their own short range defense against both low flying fixed wing and rotary wing attack aircraft.

http://southfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/map8.jpgThis Atilgan unit appears to be based on an M-113 chassis. It is forward deployed with a tank platoon equipped with M-60 ATT/A3s. This picture was taken in 2015 in northern Iraq.

The most obvious strategic aim of a Turkish invasion into Syrian territory would be to secure a sizable “safe zone” for Turkish-backed insurgents and terrorist forces in northern Syria. Not only would this salvage the Turkish proxies for future use, possibly in guerilla style attacks and acts of terrorism against Syria, but would more importantly drive a wedge between the Kurdish YPG forces in Northwestern Syria (north of Idlib Province) and those located in the Northeastern Syria (east of Jarabulus).
http://southfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Screenshot_14-1024x576.jpgZone of the expected Turkish military invasion

The Turkish government is determined to make sure that the YPG does not gain control of the Kurdish dominated regions in an unbroken area all along the border. The YPG has recently been successful in attacks against Turkish-backed terrorists in small offensives in this “wedge” between YPG areas of control. These offensives have been backed by Russian air operations and with airdrops of weapons and ammunition in recent weeks. It is most likely the prospect of greater territorial gains by the Kurds that the Turkish Army will be deployed to prevent. How the Turkish military command plans to carry out such an operation successfully, and how the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and Russia will respond will determine the course of the conflict and undoubtedly the odds of a wider war.

An initial observation of the forward deployment of Turkish Army units along the border with Syria gives hints as to their tactical employment in a possible invasion. Two armored brigades and two mechanized brigades are positioned just north of the border, adjacent to the area that is currently controlled by various terrorist groups and militias under the umbrella of support of the Turkish regime, and that lies in between the YPG dominated areas. Their axis of advance would cover, approximately the area between Azaz and Jarabulus, and would probably not extend beyond the depth of 20 to 25 miles (30 to 40 km).
Two armored and two mechanized brigades, representing approximately 15,000 to 20,000 men would be able to mount a fast assault. These units are highly mobile, flexible, and self-sufficient and pack a great deal of offensive power. They would most likely be aided by elements of at least one commando brigade. They could cover the 20-25 mile distance quickly and consolidate the area rapidly, and would be maintaining short lines of communication and supply. Fixed wing and rotary wing attack aircraft would be assigned to provide air cover to the ground operation. The initial assault would most certainly be followed up by the advance of infantry and border patrol units to establish and provide internal security for the long haul.
http://southfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Aleppo_final-1024x575.jpg (http://southfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Aleppo_final.jpg)Click to see the full-size map

The unknown variable for the Turkish military planners is the reaction of the Russian forces deployed within Syria, at the request of the only legitimate government of that country. Will the Russian air forces deployed in Syria react to thwart the incursion of a hostile force that aims to directly undermine the sovereignty of Syria? Will Russian air defense forces based at Khmeimim airbase or naval vessels positioned offshore fire upon Turkish aircraft that violate the sovereign airspace of Syria engaged in providing air cover for Turkish ground forces, and that could possibly threaten the Russian position in Latakia? There are a number of unknown variables that present immense uncertainties in the Turkish strategic calculus when planning such an undertaking.
The recent Russian snap drills by forces in the Southern Military District, which included the participation of airborne and air transport units, was a clear message to Turkey that Russia was prepared to defend her borders and her national interests in Syria. This is only the latest in a series of clear messages by the Russian leadership that it will not tolerate a Turkish sabotage of its campaign in Syria to restore order and to stabilize the situation in the country. The question remains, does the Erdogan regime believe that the potential benefits of setting up a de-facto safe haven for its proxies in Syria outweigh the potential of direct military conflict with Russia?

The determination of the Erdogan regime to undermine the sovereignty of Syria by supporting, both logistically, materially and monetarily various factions of Islamic fundamentalist mercenaries and terrorist groups, has only harmed the security of Turkey and strengthened the position of their long time enemy the Kurds. The past five years have enriched the bank accounts of the Erdogan family and their cronies through the illegal oil trade, human trafficking of refuges, and the smuggling of arms; however, the Turkish people have suffered from a bloody crack-down on the Kurdish minority in the south of the country, terrorist bombings, an assault on civil rights, press censorship and the erosion of Turkish-Russian relations to a level not seen since the darkest days of the Cold War.
This policy of intervention in the affairs of both Syria and Iraq, the support of a multitude of Islamic terrorist groups, and the undermining of neighboring countries to the benefit of a ruling elite in Turkey has been disastrous. It may turn out in the end that Turkey itself has been the most negatively affected by Erdogan’s misguided policies. NATO and Europe as a whole have been undermined, and it remains to be seen how much longer even they will tolerate the situation. Is NATO ready to be dragged into a war with Russia as a result of Turkey’s aggressive and misguided foreign policy? A pretext for invasion that casts Turkey as the victim will have to be engineered by the Erdogan regime prior to any incursion south in order to maintain NATO support.
By bringing to light, in embarrassing detail, the Erdogan regime’s illegal activities in direct support of internationally recognized terrorist groups and the illegal plunder of the oil resources of Syria and Iraq and the establishment and operation of the logistics network that facilitates the sale of the oil at great profit to the Erdogan family itself, Russia has laid the truth bear to the world. In so doing, they have also allowed Erdogan a way to back off the stage, so to speak, and abandon his misguided aspirations in Syria. Continued support by NATO and the United States in light of the ugly realities of Turkey’s actions in the conflict, will only undermine both parties’ legitimacy in the eyes of the international community.
Turkey most definitely has the military power in place to successfully carry out a limited invasion to establish a terrorist safe zone and to prohibit the consolidation of the entire northern border under the control of the Kurds; however the costs if this invasion is contested by Russia and Syria nullify any potential benefits. In short, further efforts to salvage a disastrous foreign policy on the part of the Erdogan regime through force of arms will only hasten their political isolation and destruction. The Turkish people deserve better, and as political opposition continues to grow in the government and on the street, a disastrous invasion just may push the current regime out of power. This would be a positive development; however, the very real possibility of a Turkish incursion developing into a wider war would prove disastrous to the entire world.

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mick silver

13th February 2016, 06:23 AM

neuro what are you seeing an hearing about this? .it look like there could be a lot o usa stuff there an troops

mick silver

13th February 2016, 06:35 AM

America's Love Affair With Nuclear & Radioactive Weapons

February 13, 2016 (Ulson Gunnar - NEO (http://journal-neo.org/2016/02/12/americas-love-affair-with-nuclear-radioactive-weapons/)) - The United States would have the world believe that it is in mortal danger should nations like Iran or North Korea obtain operationally effective nuclear weapons. We are told that there is a grave risk of these weapons being used against another nation and that the US (with the support of the "international community") must confront these governments, and if possible undermine and overthrow them. Why?

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tjGyI4HJuR0/VrxmduvZ_RI/AAAAAAAAMy8/v31oszTZWjY/s640/1.jpg (https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tjGyI4HJuR0/VrxmduvZ_RI/AAAAAAAAMy8/v31oszTZWjY/s1600/1.jpg)

Since a nation has already used nuclear weapons against another state, ironically enough that nation being the United States itself, we already know the devastating effects of nuclear weapons. Besides the immense, indiscriminate initial blast, nuclear weapons also produce a persistent radioactive threat amid the fallout afterwards.

The fallout and the catastrophic effects it has on human health for years afterward make nuclear weapons particularly horrifying and abhorrent. The United States didn't drop only one nuclear bomb on another nation, Japan, it dropped two. The data collected in the aftermath of these attacks have helped form our collective fear of these weapons.

Ironically the US is using the fear its own nuclear warfare has created as leverage to wage still more war.

Depleted Uranium - All the Fallout, None of the Bang

But what if the catastrophic human health effects of fallout could be achieved without the immense, city-flattening initial explosion? What if you could use a weapon to induce long-term spikes in cancer and birth defects without the political ramifications of dropping a nuclear bomb on a population? Some readers may be tempted to cite "dirty bombs," and they would be partially correct. But there is another correct answer. Depleted uranium or DU ammunition.

Depleted uranium is one of the densest materials munitions can be made out of. Because of their density, they are able to penetrate armor other rounds cannot. DU was initially conceived as an additional deterrence, a weapon of last resort in the event of a full-scale Soviet invasion of Western Europe during the Cold War.

Because of the overwhelming number of tanks the Soviet Union possessed, it was believed extraordinary measures would be needed to even the odds, even at the cost of radioactive contamination of the battlefield.

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zUPWr5vvu84/Vrxm-Ov3DyI/AAAAAAAAMzE/MyAwnP9feF0/s640/Atomic_bombing_of_Japans.jpg (https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zUPWr5vvu84/Vrxm-Ov3DyI/AAAAAAAAMzE/MyAwnP9feF0/s1600/Atomic_bombing_of_Japans.jpg)

Images; The US presumes to police the world regarding nuclear weapons despite being the only nation in human history to use nuclear weapons on another nation... twice.

The catastrophic effects of littering the battlefield with contaminated ammunition possessing a half-life of several billion years was a risk NATO was willing to take to ensure the survival of Western Europe. How then, did this weapon of last resort become a weapon commonly used?

The first Gulf War in 1990, Operation Desert Storm, included the heavy use of this doomsday contingency. The International Coalition to Ban Uranium Weapons (ICBUW) in their recent piece titled, ""The most toxic war in history" - 25 years later (http://www.bandepleteduranium.org/en/the-most-toxic-war-in-history-25-years-on)," would note:

This month marks the 25th anniversary of the start of Operation Desert Storm, the combat phase of the Gulf War. Precipitated by Iraq’s invasion and annexation of Kuwait in August 1990, the conflict was the first to see the widespread use of depleted uranium (DU) ammunition. US and UK forces subsequently acknowledged firing a combined 286,000kg of DU – the vast majority of which was fired by US Abrams and M60 tanks, and A10 and Harrier aircraft.ICBUW would also note that the use of DU has impacted both soldiers who used the weapons as well as civilians trapped on or near battlefields they were used on.

Latinos Health (http://www.latinoshealth.com/articles/18756/20160210/blood-cancer-drug-pacritinib-withdrawn-by-fda.htm) included in one of their recent articles the following caption:

The Czech military is testing all of its soldiers that served in the Balkans for possible signs of Balkan Syndrome, an unexplained condition that is thought to be caused by depleted uranium used in NATO ammunition. Recent media reports claim that scientists have found evidence of Uranium 236 in blood samples from soldiers who served in the Gulf War, where depleted uranium ammunition was also used.It should strike people as disturbing that the United States poses as the greatest advocate against weapons of mass destruction and a champion for preserving the lives and wellbeing of innocent people affected by war, all while using weapons of mass destruction, repeatedly, at the expense of innocent lives affected by their various wars.

DU has turned up in both Iraq wars, NATO's intervention in the Balkans and in Afghanistan. Courts around the world have ruled in favor on several cases regarding the effects of DU, including a British Gulf War veteran who became ill because of the radioactive weapons.

The BBC would report in their story, "Gulf soldier wins pension fight (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/3456433.stm)," that:

A former soldier is believed to be the first veteran to win a war pension appeal after suffering depleted uranium poisoning during the first Gulf War. A tribunal in Edinburgh found in favour of Kenny Duncan from Clackmannanshire who became ill after his service in the Middle East. He had helped move tanks destroyed by shells containing depleted uranium.One can only wonder how many nameless, faceless and voiceless civilians living on or near former battlefields have also been affected like Mr. Duncan from Clackmannanshire, who will never receive the assistance needed to recover from what America's indiscriminate and unnecessary use of radiological weapons has done to them and their communities.

While it is hopeful seeing mounting awareness and subsequent pressure being applied to the United States and other governments around the world who might also consider using this weapon and others like it, we are still faced with the problem that the US, essentially the worst violator when it comes to nuclear and radiological weapons, poses as the primary advocate policing the world against them.

Not only is the US guilty of immense hypocrisy, it has managed to hijack what are supposed to be "international institutions" to help perpetrate this hypocrisy. This is yet another example of just how important it is to establish a true balance of global power through a multipolar system of sovereign nations, in place of the "international order" that currently exists, which sidesteps nation sovereignty and empowers global criminality rather than stopping it.

Ulson Gunnar, a New York-based geopolitical analyst and writer especially for the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook (http://journal-neo.org/)”.

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mick silver

13th February 2016, 06:39 AM

Saudi jets to fly missions in Syria from Turkish base Published time: 13 Feb, 2016 10:27Edited time: 13 Feb, 2016 10:54
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Royal Saudi Air Force jets © Fahad Shadeed / Reuters

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Saudi Arabia is to deploy military jets and personnel to Turkey’s Incirlik Air Base in the south of the country, Ankara said. The base is already used by the US Air Force for their sorties in Syria.
The deployment is part of the US-led effort to defeat the Islamic State terrorist group, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said.
"At every coalition meeting, we have always emphasized the need for an extensive result-oriented strategy in the fight against the Daesh terrorist group,” he said, referring to IS by an Arabic-language abbreviation.
Cavusoglu spoke to the Yeni Şafak newspaper after addressing a security conference in Munich, Germany, where the Syrian crisis was one of the top issues on the agenda.
"If we have such a strategy, then Turkey and Saudi Arabia may launch a ground operation,” he added, fueling concerns that a foreign troop invasion may soon further complicate the already turbulent situation in the war-torn country.
Read more
https://cdn.rt.com/files/2016.02/thumbnail/56bd6b91c4618834598b45a4.jpgRussian PM warns US, Saudis against starting ‘permanent war’ with ground intervention in Syria (https://www.rt.com/news/332230-syria-permanent-war-saudis-us/)
Earlier, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE voiced their readiness to contribute troops for a ground operation in Syria on the condition that the US would lead the intervention. Damascus and its key regional ally, Iran, warned that such a foreign force would face strong resistance.
The US, Turkey and Saudi Arabia have shared goals in Syria, as all three want the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad to be toppled by rebel forces. On other issues they differ. For example, the US supports Kurdish forces in Syria who scored significant military victories against IS, but Turkey considers them terrorists and is targeting them with airstrikes.
Russia, which supports the government of Bashar Assad, seeing it as the only regional force capable of defeating IS on the ground, has warned against a ground intervention, which, Moscow believes, would only serve to prolong the war in Syria.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev called on his Western counterparts "not to threaten a ground operation" in Syria, stressing that Moscow is doing its utmost to pave the way for a lasting peace in the war-torn country.
Russia and other leading world powers have brought Damascus and a number of rebel groups to negotiations and leveraged them into agreeing to a ceasefire. The agreement, however, remains shaky, as neither side trusts the other, and the unity of the rebel delegation remains questionable. The terrorist groups IS and Al Nusra Front are not part of the talks.

Joshua01

13th February 2016, 06:39 AM

Obama has control of all of this. God help us all for he has no idea what he's doing. We've killed our own people with DU yet their plan never changes. If we continue down the same road with the same people driving the bus we'll most certainly all perish. I didn't vote for the half white, gay Muslim bastard community organizer currently fouling the Whitehut This is where the progressive movement has taken us. We are a much more hated nation saddled with hopeless debt after a number of government 'bailouts' that went nowhere and a weakened military. We're becoming ripe for the picking

mick silver

13th February 2016, 06:43 AM

Top Russian law enforcer proposes int’l coalition to fight ‘US dictatorship’ and currency dominance Published time: 12 Feb, 2016 15:29
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U.S. President Barack Obama © Yuri Gripas / Reuters

The head of Russia’s Investigative Committee, Aleksandr Bastrykin, has called for the creation of an international coalition of states to fight the “dictatorship” imposed by the US on the rest of the world, and to reject the use the US dollar as a reserve currency.
Speaking at a roundtable in Moscow, Bastrykin said that the world urgently needed a new system of checks and balances that would allow equal representation of all nations on the international political arena.
He said an alliance of countries was needed which could act in concert as “a feasible pole to counter the dictatorship imposed by the Americans together with their Western allies,” according to the minutes of the roundtable published on the Investigative Committee’s website.
READ MORE: Top investigator seeks primacy of Russian law (https://www.rt.com/politics/253725-russia-law-international-prosecutor/)
Bastrykin added that America’s current geopolitical dominance is based on its financial might, which in turn can be explained by “the uncontrolled and non-guaranteed” emission of dollars and the “all-enveloping” expansion of the currency. As that’s the case, Bastrykin believes the future coalition of nations should, as a primary measure, ensure the gradual removal of US dollars from their foreign currency reserves, followed by a total refusal to use the dollar as a reserve currency.
“It is against common logic to financially support the country that is using these same resources against our interests,” he noted.

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The official told the audience that in his view the United States and its allies were waging a “hybrid war” against Russia which included price dumping on energy markets together with “currency wars” in the form of the uncontrolled expansion of the dollar.
The alternative proposed by Bastrykin includes the integration of the financial systems of various member-nations of the future coalition, including international centers for the accumulation of investment resources and systems allowing cross-border payments in national currencies.
He noted that several international organizations and groups – such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Eurasian Economic Community, the BRICS groups and the Collective Security Treaty Organization – already contained the basic elements of the future alliance.
READ MORE: Russia should ‘exclude international norms’ from its laws top investigator urges (https://www.rt.com/politics/262357-russia-international-law-investigator/)

This is not the first time the head of the Investigative Committee has advocated greater independence and a more prominent international role for his country. In 2015 he proposed that Russia should legally enshrine the primacy of national law over international treaties. He also blamed Boris Yeltsin’s US advisers for including the principle of the superiority of international law over domestic legal procedures in Russian legislation. Bastrykin suggested the steps taken during Yeltsin’s time could be construed as legislative sabotage against Russia.
“In this difficult period Russian society is consolidated like never before and most importantly society now understands that the time for constitutional reform is ripe. This is why I believe that gradually, step by step, these ideas will be implemented into life in the interests of our sovereignty and prosperity,” the official stated in an extensive interview with the Rossiiskaya Gazeta daily.

mick silver

13th February 2016, 08:09 AM

The Grown Ups Are Here: US Allies in Syria Long to Work With Russia© Sputnik/ Dmitriy Vinogradov

Middle East (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/)16:23 13.02.2016(updated 16:24 13.02.2016) Get short URL
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Countries such as Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Israel have been voicing a willingness to accept the Kremlin’s role in Syria and urging for closer ties, puzzled by the US' abject failure on the ground, whose strategy remains a mess four years after the operation began, according to the US media.“Many of the Middle East states are saying: there’s been four years and the US has made a mess of Syria, and it hasn’t done anything [to clear it],” Faysal Itani, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, a Washington-based think tank, told The Wall Street Journal.
“Now, finally, they believe there’s a grown-up in the room in Russia,” he added.

http://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/images/103449/15/1034491542.jpg
© AFP 2016/ DELIL SOULEIMAN
Russia’s Kurdish Gambit: US Ally in Syria Takes Moscow’s Side (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160210/1034493298/russia-syrian-kurds-alliance.html)

The reason for the above statement is the intensity and success of the Russian operations in Syria, in cooperation with the government forces.“Over the past month, Russian and allied forces have cleared the areas around Latakia and pushed the rebels back toward the Turkish border. They also are believed to be close to cutting off the rebels’ last supply lines from Aleppo back into Turkey,” acknowledges the New York-based newspaper.
Each of the countries mentioned above has its own reason to seek out cooperation with Russia.
For Israel, it says, it is hope that “Russia could help constrain Iranian operations against Israel from Syria.”
“The Israeli government’s consultations with Russia aim to ensure their militaries don’t unintentionally clash in Syria,” write the newspaper, quoting anonymous Israeli officials.

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© AFP 2016/ ADEM ALTAN
Bitter Pill for Erdogan: Russia Leaves Turkey a Helpless Spectator in Syria (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160211/1034579631/russia-turkey-syria-game.html)

“Israel has intermittently attacked convoys inside Syria that were allegedly moving arms for Iran and the Lebanese militia Hezbollah for operations targeting Israel.”Egypt is “supportive of any international effort to eradicate terrorism from Syria,” according to Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.
“Our understanding from our discussions with the Russians is that their primary focus and intervention is targeting the terrorist organizations,” he added.
For United Arab Emirates, it is a push for a “united approach to ending the Syrian war and combating Daesh (the Islamic State/ISIL/ISIS).
“We should work together and put our regional disagreements aside,” UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan said last week after the meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov with the UAE’s crown prince and other Emirati officials in Abu Dhabi on the issue.

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© REUTERS/ Maxim Shemetov
US Starts to Understand Need to Work With Russia to Solve Syria Crisis (http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160212/1034663366/russia-us-syria-lavrov.html)

Jordan has set up an operations center in Amman with Russia to coordinate their operations inside Syria.All four countries continue regular consultation with Moscow on its operations with Syria, much to the displeasure of Washington.
“The dynamic reflects growing frustration among some US allies with the Obama administration’s position, and runs the risk of making the battlefield even more chaotic,” the newspaper states.

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Related:Egypt Against Possible Partition of Syria - Ambassador to Russia (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160212/1034656475/egypt-syria-partiotion.html)Russia Shows ‘Tremendous’ Capabilities in Syria - US Defense Intel Agency (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160209/1034471881/russia-syria-capabilities.html)Against Russia? Saudi Invasion in Syria ‘Would Be Beneficial for US' (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160209/1034453405/against-russia-saudi-invasion.html)
Tags:
military campaign (http://sputniknews.com/tags/keyword_military_campaign/), cooperation (http://sputniknews.com/tags/keyword_cooperation/), Daesh (http://sputniknews.com/tags/organization_Daesh/), Israel (http://sputniknews.com/tags/geo_Israel/), Syria (http://sputniknews.com/tags/geo_Syria/), United States (http://sputniknews.com/tags/geo_United_States/), Russia (http://sputniknews.com/tags/geo_Russia/), Jordan (http://sputniknews.com/tags/tag_Jordan/)

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160213/1034705863/us-syria-allies-russia.html#ixzz403qN9Cqk

Neuro

13th February 2016, 03:47 PM

neuro what are you seeing an hearing about this? .it look like there could be a lot o usa stuff there an troops
To be honest Mick I have no fucking clue. I'll go tomorrow for a week of work in Istanbul...

Glass

13th February 2016, 05:14 PM

excitement

FIGHTING HAS BEGUN !!!! Turkey Shelling into Syria; Directly Attacking Syrian Arab Army and perimeter of Russian Base in Latakia

It appears that World War 3 is beginning right now. This morning, Turkish Artillery began shelling positions outside of Azzaz, Syria. Those positions are held by the Syrian Arab Army (legitimate, duly-elected government of Syria) and are NOT being aimed at ISIS terrorists! These are direct attacks by Turkey upon the lawful government forces of Syria.With their rebel pals falling to the legitimate government of Syria, Turkey has now begun shelling into Syria to aid their Rebel forces and ISIS Terrorists!

Sources on the ground inside Syria tell SuperStation95 that the Turks began a furious artillery barrage at about 6:00 AM eastern US time today. Turkey is attacking the Kurdish YPG .

Much updates:

UPDATE: 12:32 PM EST -- Turkish warplanes are flying on the Turkey side of the Turkey/Syria Border, fast and low. Russian warplanes are flying on the Syrian side of the Turkey/Syria border. If any single one of these pilots flies across -- or fires across - the border, all hell is going break lose TODAY.

URGENT: 1:56 PM Eastern US Time, 13 February 2016 --- Stratfor is now confirming Russia has dispatched a ship to the Mediterranean, to deliver NUCLEAR-TIPPED CRUISE MISSILES.

UPDATE 2:03 PM Eastern US Time -- Syrian Forces Commander Abu Omar told Russian news outlet "Sputnick" via electronic interview "Turkey is attacking us with mortars and rockets across the border. If the attacks continue, we will respond" http://haber.sol.org.tr/dunya/afp-turkiye-ypg-ussunu-top-atesiyle-vurdu-145795

UPDATE 2:34 PM Eastern US Time -- In an utterly UNPRECEDENTED move, Turkey has begun notifying NEWS AGENCIES (Like Ours) to make certain we are at worked and properly staffed tomorrow because there will be very big news and a huge escalation in Syria. This is amazing to us; governments don't do this sort of thing. They aren't saying exactly what will happen but the thought is a major air offensive with the Saudis ahead of ground troops. Some pathfinder forces are already on the ground in Syria

URGENT UPDATE: 2:45 PM Eastern US Time -- UK military members told to cancel all plans and all leave, prepare for deployment to Syria!

UPDATE 6:04 PM Eastern US Time -- BREAKING: Turkey confirms that its artillery targeted Syrian regime positions in Latakia (This is now an actual admission by the sovereign government of Turkey that it has deliberately attacked the forces of the legitimate and sovereign government of Syria. Without cause or justification, Turkey has begun a war.)

Nothing new for a couple of hours (https://www.superstation95.com/index.php/world/886).

I know nothing of the source. Hope it not that guy who writes all the BS. Sorcha.

mick silver

13th February 2016, 05:19 PM

Turkish Forces Shell Syrian Army Positions in Latakia - Source© Sputnik/

Middle East (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/)01:08 14.02.2016(updated 01:25 14.02.2016) Get short URL
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A military source said that Turkish armed forces shelled Syrian army positions in the northern Syrian province of Latakia.ALEPPO (Sputnik) – Turkish armed forces shelled Syrian army positions in the northern Syrian province of Latakia, a military source told RIA Novosti early Sunday.
"Turkish artillery opened fire on the positions of the Syrian army in the Alia hills region of northwest Latakia. Several shells have fallen from Turkish territory," the unnamed source said.
Turkish forces shelled Kurdish self-defense positions around the town of Azaz in nearby Aleppo province earlier.

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mick silver

13th February 2016, 05:20 PM

Saudi Arabia to Send Jets to Turkish Base for Air Missions in Syria© REUTERS/ Umit Bektas

Middle East (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/)13:35 13.02.2016(updated 14:22 13.02.2016) Get short URL
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Saudi Arabia is deploying warplanes to the Turkish Incirlik base to fight Daesh, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said."They (Saudi officials) came, did a reconnaissance of the base. At the moment it is not clear how many planes will come," Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was quoted as saying by the Yeni Safak and Haberturk newspapers after taking part in the Munich Security Conference.

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© AFP 2016/ PASCAL POCHARD-CASABIANCA
On Shaky Ground: Will Washington Give Blessing to Saudi Invasion of Syria? (http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160212/1034653390/will-washington-give-blessing-to-saudi-invasion-of-syria.html)

The deployment is part of the US-led effort to defeat Daesh terrorist group, he added. Incirlik is a key hub for US-led coalition operations againstDaesh (ISIL/ISIS/IS).The Foreign Minister also said that Turkey and Saudi Arabia could launch a ground operation against terrorists in Syria.
"If there is a strategy (against Daesh) then Turkey and Saudi Arabia could enter into a ground operation," Cavusoglu said.
"They (Saudi Arabia) said 'If necessary we can also send troops'. Saudi Arabia is showing great determination in the fight against terror in Syria," he added.

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© AP Photo/ Luis M. Alvarez
US, Saudi Arabia Discuss Deployment of Ground Troops in Syria (http://sputniknews.com/military/20160211/1034611422/us0riyadh-discuss-troops-in-syria.html)

Earlier it was reported that Saudi Arabia was ready to send its special forc (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160212/1034677948/saudi-special-forces-syria-if-united-states.html)es as part of US-led coalition.Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011, with the army loyal to President Bashar Assad fighting several opposition factions and militant organizations, including Daesh terrorist group, which is banned in a number of countries, including Russia and the United States.
The US-led coalition of some 60 nations, including Saudi Arabia among others, has been launching airstrikes against Daesh in Syria and Iraq since 2014. However, the operation in Syria is conducted without the approval of the UN Security Council or Syrian authorities.

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Related:On Shaky Ground: Will Washington Give Blessing to Saudi Invasion of Syria? (http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160212/1034653390/will-washington-give-blessing-to-saudi-invasion-of-syria.html)Saudi's Troop Deployment Plans to Syria Not Discussed in Munich - Lavrov (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160212/1034639429/saudi-arabia-troops-syria-plans.html)Powder Keg: Turkey Plans Joint War Games With Saudi Arabia (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160212/1034613276/saudi-turkey-military-drills.html)US, Saudi Arabia Discuss Deployment of Ground Troops in Syria (http://sputniknews.com/military/20160211/1034611422/us0riyadh-discuss-troops-in-syria.html)
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air operation (http://sputniknews.com/tags/keyword_air_operation/), ground operation (http://sputniknews.com/tags/keyword_ground_operation/), Daesh (http://sputniknews.com/tags/organization_Daesh/), Mevlut Cavusoglu (http://sputniknews.com/tags/person_Mevlut_Cavusoglu/), Syria (http://sputniknews.com/tags/geo_Syria/), Saudi Arabia (http://sputniknews.com/tags/tag_SaudiArabia/), Turkey (http://sputniknews.com/tags/geo_Turkey/)

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160213/1034699505/turkey-saudi-arabia-jets-syria.html#ixzz4064yVrlg

mick silver

13th February 2016, 05:20 PM

US, Saudi Arabia Discuss Deployment of Ground Troops in Syria© AP Photo/ Luis M. Alvarez

Military & Intelligence (http://sputniknews.com/military/)22:55 11.02.2016(updated 23:18 11.02.2016) Get short URL
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US State Department spokesperson Mark Toner said that the United States is discussing with Saudi Arabia the deployment of ground troops in Syria, proposed by Riyadh.
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© REUTERS/ Abdalrhman Ismail
Boots on the Ground in Syria: Saudi Arabia More ‘Interested in Helping Rebels Than Fighting Daesh’ (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160207/1034373720/riyadh-troops-syria-daesh.html)

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States is discussing with Saudi Arabia the deployment of ground troops in Syria, proposed by Riyadh in order to fight the Islamic State (ISIL or Daesh), US State Department spokesperson Mark Toner said in a press briefing on Thursday."As to the offer of ground troops [from Saudi Arabia], we’re still in discussion with that…I think we’re still in discussion with how those ground forces would be deployed on the ground," Toner explained.

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Related:Saudis Trying to Embroil Washington in a Quagmire in Syria (http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160211/1034608372/saudi-trying-trick-washington-syria.html)Political Bluff? Why Saudi Arabia Will Not Invade Syria (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160209/1034475657/saudi-arabia-troops-syria.html)Turkish, Saudi Ground Troops in Syria Will 'Support Daesh Against Assad' (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160209/1034462029/turkey-saudi-arabia-syria.html)
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Daesh (http://sputniknews.com/tags/organization_Daesh/), Syria (http://sputniknews.com/tags/geo_Syria/), Saudi Arabia (http://sputniknews.com/tags/tag_SaudiArabia/), United States (http://sputniknews.com/tags/geo_United_States/)

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/military/20160211/1034611422/us0riyadh-discuss-troops-in-syria.html#ixzz4065Bx4Ca

mick silver

13th February 2016, 05:26 PM

Russia warns of ‘new world war’ starting in Syria

Source: London Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/12153112/Russia-warns-of-new-world-war-starting-in-Syria.html)

Russia warned of “a new world war” starting in Syria (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/turkey/12151701/Turkey-threatens-to-open-the-gates-and-send-refugees-to-Europe.html) on Thursday after a dramatic day in which Gulf states threatened to send in ground forces.

Foreign and defence ministers of the leading international states backing different factions in the war-torn country met in separate meetings in Munich and Brussels following the collapse of the latest round of peace talks.

Both Russia and the United States demanded ceasefires in the long-running civil war so that the fight could be concentrated against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) – but each on their own, conflicting terms.

But the Gulf states, led by Saudi Arabia, staged their own intervention, saying they were committed to sending ground troops to the country. Their favoured rebel groups have been pulverised by Russian air raids and driven back on the ground by Iranian-supplied pro-regime troops.
.
'It would be impossible to win such a war quickly, especially in the Arab world, where everybody is fighting everyone'
Dmitry Medvedev

(http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text='It%20would%20be%20impossible%20to%20wi n%20such%20a%20war%20quickly%2C%20especially%20in% 20the%20Arab%20world%2C%20where%20everybody%20is%2 0fighting%20against%20everybody'&url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/12153112/Russia-warns-of-new-world-war-starting-in-Syria.html?WT.mc_id=tmgoff_pq_tw_20150423)
(http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/12153112/Russia-warns-of-new-world-war-starting-in-Syria.html?WT.mc_id=tmgoff_pq_fb_20150423)

They said their declared target was Isil. But the presence of troops from Gulf states which have funded the Syrian rebels (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/turkey/12151701/Turkey-threatens-to-open-the-gates-and-send-refugees-to-Europe.html) would be taken as a hostile act by the Assad regime and its backers, and a sign that they were committed to staking their claim to a say in the final Syrian settlement.
Russia issued a stark warning of the potential consequences. "The Americans and our Arab partners must think well: do they want a permanent war?" its prime minister, Dmitry Medvedev, told Germany's Handelsblatt newspaper in an interview due to be published on Friday but released on Thursday night.

“It would be impossible to win such a war quickly, especially in the Arab world, where everybody is fighting against everybody.
"All sides must be compelled to sit at the negotiating table instead of unleashing a new world war.”

Earlier in the day, both Russia and the United States had demanded a ceasefire in the Syrian war. (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/12151670/Russia-ready-to-discuss-ceasefire-in-Syria.html)
Russia did not specify a date publicly but diplomats said that they had suggested March 1, which the Americans say would leave them another two weeks to achieve their military goals, including the defeat of “moderate” rebel forces in the north around Aleppo.
The United States countered by demanding an immediate ceasefire.
The rebels, whose main negotiators have been touring Europe in the wake of the collapse of the Geneva peace talks and the renewed assault on Aleppo, say a ceasefire can only happen in conjunction with a negotiated “political transition” - something which looks ever more unlikely in light of regime victories on the ground.
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03550/syria1_3550689b.jpgA girl carrying a toddler inspects damage, in a site hit by what activists said were airstrikes carried out by the Russian air force, in Douma
Under the United Nations security council resolution passed in December, any ceasefire would automatically exclude Isil, the local al-Qaeda branch Jabhat al-Nusra, which operates throughout rebel territory, and other UN-designated terrorist groups.
Since these are being struck by both the United States and Russia, as well as the regime, the terms of the resolution mean that the only group that would have to stop fighting under the terms of a ceasefire would be the “moderate rebels” backed by the West.

This they are unlikely to do voluntarily.
Saudi Arabia is said to be furious that their main regional rival, Iran, has been allowed to consolidate its power bases in both Iraq and Syria because of the civil wars in both countries and under the cover of an international air campaign supposedly targeting Isil.
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03573/syria2_3573160b.jpgDamaged buildings in the Douma area of Damascus
Its defence ministry spokesman, Brig Gen Ahmed al-Assiri, said its decision to send ground troops to Syria was “irreversible”.
The kingdom, along with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, is offering to provide the troops the United States-led coalition are needed to take on Isil on the ground under coalition air cover.

'This is a campaign that can't be won by western troops doing the fighting. It can only be won in the end by local forces that have the support of the local population'
Michael Fallon

(http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text='This%20is%20a%20campaign%20that%20can' t%20be%20won%20by%20western%20troops%20doing%20the %20fighting.%20It%20can%20only%20be%20won%20in%20t he%20end%20by%20local%20forces%20that%20have%20the %20support%20of%20the%20local%20population'&url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/12153112/Russia-warns-of-new-world-war-starting-in-Syria.html?WT.mc_id=tmgoff_pq_tw_20150423)
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Michael Fallon, who held talks in Brussels on the fringes of a defence ministers meeting with deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, said he welcomed the Saudi offer.
“The Saudis are leading the Islamic military coalition,” he said.
“We've always made clear this is a campaign that can't be won by western troops doing the fighting. It can only be won in the end by local forces that have the support of the local population.” That last phrase appears to refer to the undesirability in western minds of Isil being defeated from the air only for pro-regime troops to retake the territory it now holds, which is overwhelming Sunni and was previously in the hands of non-Isil Sunni-led rebels.
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03573/syria3_3573161b.jpgA boy rests at an Iraqi refugee camp in Mabrouka village, Syria, earlier this month
The Saudis are also testing American willingness to “lead from the front” in Syria in the face of the apparent defeat of their favoured rebels at the hands of an assertive Russian intervention.
“Saudi Arabia will not step back from its offer to send ground troops to Syria as part of an International Coalition operation,” Mohammed al-Yahya, a London-based Saudi analyst said.

'The warring parties in Syria are constantly sinking to new depths, without apparently caring in the slightest about the death and destruction they are wreaking across the country'
Prince Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein

(http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text='The%20warring%20parties%20in%20Syria%2 0are%20constantly%20sinking%20to%20new%20depths%2C %20without%20apparently%20caring%20in%20the%20slig htest%20about%20the%20death%20and%20destruction%20 they%20are%20wreaking'&url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/12153112/Russia-warns-of-new-world-war-starting-in-Syria.html?WT.mc_id=tmgoff_pq_tw_20150423)
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“The strategies used to fight Isil so far have not adequately weakened it, let alone eliminated it. It has become clear that Assad and the forces allied to him, namely Hizbollah, Russia, and Iran, are focusing on fighting the Assad regime’s opposition, not Isil.” Meanwhile on the ground, Russian-backed Kurdish forces took new ground from the rebels near the Turkish border, seizing the Minnegh air base, a highly symbolic target as it was seized from the regime first by Isil and then from them by non-Isil rebels two years ago after some of the fiercest battles of the whole war.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Prince Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein said more than 50,000 people had now been displaced north of Aleppo in the latest bout of fighting, calling the situation “grotesque”.
“The warring parties in Syria are constantly sinking to new depths, without apparently caring in the slightest about the death and destruction they are wreaking across the country,” he said.

Read more (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/12153112/Russia-warns-of-new-world-war-starting-in-Syria.html)

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Neuro

13th February 2016, 05:28 PM

Turkish military repeatedly shell Assad forces; Kurds confirm to RT being hit by massive attack
https://www.rt.com/news/332380-turkey-shells-northern-syria/

mick silver

13th February 2016, 05:37 PM

US Caught Evacuating ISIS Leaders in IraqBy GPD (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/admin/) on February 13, 2016

http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/lido_892.jpgStock Photo

Editor’s note: This was not Army but rather a CIA mission.
–
TEHRAN (FNA) – Senior Iraqi security sources lashed out at the US and its regional allies for supporting Takfiri terrorists in Iraq, and said that Washington is the main cause of ISIL’s survival in his country.
=

“We have compelling evidence that a US helicopter landed in Albu Arim palms of Fallujah city to take out the ISIL leaders who were in contact with the Americans,” a senior Iraqi security official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told FNA on Saturday.
He noted that other US aircraft were flying over the region to protect the airplane which was boarding the ISIL leaders, adding, “The US took out the ISIL leaders in order to rescue them from possible attacks by the Iraqi Army and security forces.”
In relevant remarks in October, Spokesman of Iraq’s Kata’ib Hezbollah (Hezbollah Battalions) popular forces Jafar al-Hosseini disclosing that captured ISIL leaders have acknowledged receiving logistical backup and intelligence support from the US.
“As the ISIL commanders captured in Iraqi popular forces’ recent military operations have confessed, the US supports for the terrorist groups are not limited to the dispatch of logistical support,” Al-Hosseini told FNA.
He reiterated that the US has provided the ISIL with intelligence about the Iraqi forces’ positions and targets.
“ISIL commanders trusted the US officials who had assured them that the Iraqi forces would not attack Fallujah because the US had urged the Iraqi government to prevent the popular forces from entering Fallujah and raid Beiji instead; hence the terrorists left Fallujah for Beiji to stay on the alert in there,” Al-Hosseini added.
Al-Hosseini had also stated on Wednesday that his forces plan to win back the city of Ramadi only after expelling the American forces from Anbar province.
“Our forces have two operations underway; first seizing Ramadi from ISIL and second keeping away the American forces from Anbar province,” al-Hosseini told FNA.
He underlined that preventing the US forces from getting close to Anbar province will expedite operations for winning back the province, specially after the military operations in Salahuddin province that led to the liberation of the city of Beiji. Iraqi officials have on different occasions blasted the US and its allies for supplying the ISIL in Syria with arms and ammunition under the pretext of fighting the Takfiri terrorist group.
Also in October, the Iraqi army and volunteer forces discovered US-made military hardware and ammunition, including anti-armor missiles, in terrorists’ positions and trenches captured during the operations in the Fallujah region in Al-Anbar province.
The Iraqi forces found a huge volume of advanced TOW-II missiles from the Takfiri terrorists in al-Karama city of Fallujah. The missiles were brand new and the ISIL had transferred them to Fallujah to use them against the Iraqi army’s armored units.
On October 10, the Iraqi forces discovered US-made military hardware and ammunition from terrorists in Beiji.
“The military hardware and weapons had been airdropped by the US-led warplanes and choppers for the ISIL in the nearby areas of Beiji,” military sources told FNA.
In February 2015, an Iraqi provincial official lashed out at the western countries and their regional allies for supporting Takfiri terrorists in Iraq, revealing that the US airplanes still continue to airdrop weapons and foodstuff for the ISIL terrorists.
“The US planes have dropped weapons for the ISIL terrorists in the areas under ISIL control and even in those areas that have been recently liberated from the ISIL control to encourage the terrorists to return to those places,” Coordinator of Iraqi popular forces Jafar al-Jaberi told FNA.
He noted that eyewitnesses in Al-Havijeh of Kirkuk province had witnessed the US airplanes dropping several suspicious parcels for ISIL terrorists in the province.
“Two coalition planes were also seen above the town of Al-Khas in Diyala and they carried the Takfiri terrorists to the region that has recently been liberated from the ISIL control,” Al-Jaberi said.
Also in February 2015, a senior lawmaker disclosed that Iraq’s army has shot down two British planes as they were carrying weapons for the ISIL terrorists in Al-Anbar province.
“The Iraqi Parliament’s National Security and Defense Committee has access to the photos of both planes that are British and have crashed while they were carrying weapons for the ISIL,” Head of the committee Hakem al-Zameli said.
He said the Iraqi parliament has asked London for explanations in this regard. The senior Iraqi legislator further unveiled that the government in Baghdad is receiving daily reports from people and security forces in al-Anbar province on numerous flights by the US-led coalition planes that airdrop weapons and supplies for ISIL in terrorist-held areas.
The Iraqi lawmaker further noted the cause of such western aids to the terrorist group, and explained that the US prefers a chaotic situation in Anbar Province which is near the cities of Karbala and Baghdad as it does not want the ISIL crisis to come to an end.
Also in February 2015, a senior Iraqi provincial official lashed out at the western countries and their regional allies for supporting Takfiri terrorists in Iraq, revealing that US and Israeli-made weapons have been discovered from the areas purged of ISIL terrorists.
“We have discovered weapons made in the US, European countries and Israel from the areas liberated from ISIL’s control in Al-Baqdadi region,” the Al-Ahad news website quoted Head of Al-Anbar Provincial Council Khalaf Tarmouz as saying.
He noted that the weapons made by the European countries and Israel were discovered from the terrorists in the Eastern parts of the city of Ramadi.
Meantime, Head of Iraqi Parliament’s National Security and Defense Committee Hakem al-Zameli also disclosed that the anti-ISIL coalition’s planes have dropped weapons and foodstuff for the ISIL in Salahuddin, Al-Anbar and Diyala provinces. In January 2015, al-Zameli underlined that the coalition is the main cause of ISIL’s survival in Iraq.
“There are proofs and evidence for the US-led coalition’s military aid to ISIL terrorists through air(dropped cargoes),” he told FNA at the time.
He noted that the members of his committee have already proved that the US planes have dropped advanced weaponry, including anti-aircraft weapons, for the ISIL, and that it has set up an investigation committee to probe into the matter.
“The US drops weapons for the ISIL on the excuse of not knowing about the whereabouts of the ISIL positions and it is trying to distort the reality with its allegations.
He noted that the committee had collected the data and the evidence provided by eyewitnesses, including Iraqi army officers and the popular forces, and said, “These documents are given to the investigation committee … and the necessary measures will be taken to protect the Iraqi airspace.”
Also in January 2015, another senior Iraqi legislator reiterated that the US-led coalition is the main cause of ISIL’s survival in Iraq.
“The international coalition is only an excuse for protecting the ISIL and helping the terrorist group with equipment and weapons,” Jome Divan, who is member of the al-Sadr bloc in the Iraqi parliament, said.
He said the coalition’s support for the ISIL is now evident to everyone, and continued, “The coalition has not targeted ISIL’s main positions in Iraq.” In Late December 2014, Iraqi Parliamentary Security and Defense Commission MP disclosed that a US plane supplied the ISIL terrorist organization with arms and ammunition in Salahuddin province.
MP Majid al-Gharawi stated that the available information pointed out that US planes are supplying ISIL organization, not only in Salahuddin province, but also other provinces, Iraq TradeLink reported.
He added that the US and the international coalition are “not serious in fighting against the ISIL organization, because they have the technological power to determine the presence of ISIL gunmen and destroy them in one month”.
Gharawi added that “the US is trying to expand the time of the war against the ISIL to get guarantees from the Iraqi government to have its bases in Mosul and Anbar provinces.” Salahuddin security commission also disclosed that “unknown planes threw arms and ammunition to the ISIL gunmen Southeast of Tikrit city”.

_____________

Related Posts:

3 UK Forces Wounded in Iraq, Dozens ISIS Terrorists Reportedly Killed (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/06/3-uk-forces-wounded-in-iraq-dozens-isis-terrorists-reportedly-killed/)
Two Subjects Nobody Wants To Discuss (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/03/two-subjects-nobody-wants-to-discuss/)
US military commander in Iraq and Syria rejects GOP pledges to ‘carpet-bomb’ Isis (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/01/us-military-commander-in-iraq-and-syria-rejects-gop-pledges-to-carpet-bomb-isis/)
Iraq Defense Ministry Released Footage Seized From ISIS Militants (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/01/28/iraq-defense-ministry-released-footage-seized-from-isis-militants/)
Deception and Rot, the Dirty Game For and Against ISIS (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/01/21/391174/)

mick silver

13th February 2016, 05:48 PM

Intel Drop: February 13/14, 2016By Gordon Duff, Senior Editor (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/gordonduff/) on February 13, 2016
The game is afoot...
By Gordon Duff, Senior Editor
Today we have been on with sources, official, unofficial, defrocked spies, retired spies, military, retired military and the VT crew from Turkey, Egypt, Russia, Syria, Kurdish Iraq, Switzerland, Sudan and across Africa.
The day began with Saudi planes landing at Incirlik Air Force Base and the Turkish Army shelling PYD/YPG Kurdish forces, delightfully allied with both the United States and Russia.
South Front delivered a full Turkish “order of battle,” outlining their troop strengths, unit positions and equipment and we got two hours of “unofficial” statements from Russia.
Here is the raw intel:Russia states: “Gordon, you know we control the air over Syria, anyone who would move in armour with no air cover is insane.”

Reports from Southern Turkey tell of the unloading of tactical nuclear munitions to be used by Saudi F15’s against PYD/YPG Kurds and Assad forces along with any Iraqi volunteers, Hezbollah or Iranian and Russian advisors.
Turkey reminds some that their new base in Qatar, not yet built, would provide cover for Saudi Arabian “adventurism” in Syria.
The US is pretending to be in discussions with Saudi Arabia on how they can “contribute to coalition efforts” in Syria while actually in a panic mode to convince the Saudi’s that Erdogan will lead them to utter destruction. (confirmed)
Saudi Arabia is leaking information about their plan for a peremptory nuclear attack on Syria which they claim they can simply deny as “conspiracy theory” while branding the Russian response as a “peremptory first use.”
The Saudi’s are bragging about their successful use of a tactical nuke against Yemen in May, 2015 and how they were able to silence the press, with Israeli help, despite overwhelming evidence.
Israel is reminding the Saudi’s that Russia has made them a better offer, and that goes for Turkey as well.
Turkey believes they have cut enough of a deal with Merkel, whose popularity is plunging, so that she will pressure the US to threaten Russia with a NATO response in case Saudi and Turkish planes begin plunging from the skies at the hands of Su35’s and the S400.
Turkey believes their artillery has already created the equivalent of a “no fly zone” over ISIS controlled Northern Syria, which is scheduled to fall to YPG/Kurdish forces quickly, particularly as the SAA is closing in on Raqqah from the South.
New reports from Tbilisi indicate that the outbreak of Swine Flu begun by employees of the Lugar Lab there, the infamous “bio-weapons research institute,” was caused by carelessness when employees, bribed by Ukrainian and Turkish intelligence, stole weaponized virus.
The timeline supports the use by Ukrainian secret services of Swine Flu virus against Donbass and key targets in Russia including Moscow itself.
Sources indicate that ten days ago, Turkey began releasing Swine Flu virus in Kurdish areas, beginning with the town of Cizre:
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/lido_894.jpgCizre

In 2014, Turkey received 10+ F16 aircraft from Israel, modified there to carry nuclear weapons Turkey does not have. From NTI (http://www.nti.org/country-profiles/turkey/):

“As part of NATO’s nuclear umbrella (http://www.nti.org/glossary/extended-deterrence/), Turkey continues to host approximately 60 to 70 U.S.tactical nuclear weapons (http://www.nti.org/glossary/tactical-nuclear-weapons/) on its territory at Incirlik Air Base. [5] While there was some speculation in the Turkish press regarding possible conflict between Turkey’s leaders and the United States (http://www.nti.org/country-profiles/united-states/) should President Obama’s commitment to “seek the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons” lead to the near-term withdrawal of U.S. nuclear weapons from Turkey, both the 2010 U.S. Nuclear Posture Review (http://www.nti.org/media/pdfs/03_2.pdf?_=1316627912) and the 2010 NATO Strategic Concept postponed a decision concerning the future of tactical nuclear weapons in Europe. [6] While the Cold War-era B61 bombs serve little military purpose, they provide tangible evidence of a continued American commitment to Turkish security.”

In 2012, Gwenyth Todd, former member of the National Security Council under President Clinton, reported the theft of high level nuclear secrets by a top Bush official, secrets that may well have made it possible for Americas and NATO’s nuclear arsenal to be hijacked: From Dr. Kevin Barrett on Veterans Today:

“Surprisingly, she suggests that the prime 9/11 suspects are not necessarily the best-known PNAC neocons (Wolfowitz, Perle, Rumsfeld, Libby, etc.) Having worked with Richard Clarke from the time he was busted for spying for Israel and immediately promoted to Clinton’s National Security Council, Gwenyth pointedly does not disagree with Webster Tarpley’s and Gordon Duff’s suggestion that the prime suspect for hands-on designer and operational manager of the 9/11 attacks is none other than “Terror Czar” and out-in-the-open Israeli spy Dick Clarke himself. She says Clarke is one of the “untouchables” and that he…well, you’ll just have to listen to this amazing interview (http://noliesradio.org/archives/category/archived-shows/kevin-barrett-show)!”

A report, which we believe may have been purposefully leaked by Saudi Arabia, cites that a Saudi Special Forces group that has landed in Syria, ostensibly to secure their newly landed nuclear inventory (which has the US very upset) is actually a team trained in Israel to hijack the 60-80 (last count was 84) nuclear weapons stored there with a very high likelihood of being able to defeat all 5 levels of security built into America’s nuclear arsenal intended to make unauthorized use impossible.
To be continued….

mick silver

13th February 2016, 05:54 PM

Large Scale US Military Convoy in Germany Supplies Combat Exercises Against Russia, Public DeceivedDaily Stormer
February 13, 2016

What are they planning?
Are they insane?

The recent large-scale transports of US military supplies and heavy weaponry in convoys over the German Autobahn have been purposefully hidden from the public. Eyewitness footage shows dozens of trucks on their way to barracks where most likely joint combat exercises against Russia were held. None of this was reported past local media and even there the total number of vehicles was understated, an entire second convoy denied and heavy weaponry hidden in photos.
SOURCE: https://www.compact-online.de/compact… (https://www.compact-online.de/compact-tv-exklusiv-so-wird-die-oeffentlichkeit-ueber-us-militaeraktivitaeten-in-sachsen-getaeuscht/)
Germany still remains under US Occupation since 1945 with dozens of fully equipped military bases in Germany. Transports, training and exercises are often directly funded with German taxpayer money.
Barack Obama publicly stated in 2009 in front of soldiers at the Ramstein Military Outpost that “Germany is an occupied country and will continue to be so”.

America (http://www.dailystormer.com/tag/america/) Germany (http://www.dailystormer.com/tag/germany/) Military (http://www.dailystormer.com/tag/military/) Russia (http://www.dailystormer.com/tag/russia/) WWIII (http://www.dailystormer.com/tag/wwiii/) 2016-02-13 Andrew Anglin (http://www.dailystormer.com/author/andre/)

mick silver

13th February 2016, 06:09 PM

Update 2:58 PM Eastern US Time -- An entire FLEET of Russian Antonov-124 cargo planes (the largest cargo planes in the world) have begun arriving in Syria carrying Russian Tanks, Nuclear-tipped artillery shells and other major warfighting gear. Within the last 90 minutes, TWO of these massive cargo aircraft have landed and began unloading. Other Antoniv's can be seen circling under the watchful eye of Russian warplanes as shown below:https://cdn.superstation95.com/images/RussianAntonov-124-arrivingSyria.jpg

https://cdn.superstation95.com/images/an-124-2.jpg

UPDATE 3:17 PM Eastern US Time 13 February 2016 -- Russian Air Force Strategic Bomber/Tanker HF Voice Net "BALANS" Heavily Active with numerous fighter jets arranging re-fueling on their trip from northwestern Russia to Syria. NUMEROUS NUMEROUS Russian Fighter Jets in the air enroute to Syria right now

UPDATE 3:20 PM Eastern US Time -- THIRD Antoniv-124 Cargo Jet landing in Syria . . . many more circling or enroute to supply Russian Military Forces again what is now believed to be IMMINENT ATTACK By Saudi Arabia, Turkey and others. War likely to start by Tomorrow, Sunday, 14 February 2016 . . . . . . . . .
https://cdn.superstation95.com/images/ThirdAntonov124LandingInSyria.jpg

UPDATE 3:40 PM Eastern US Time --- Turkish artillery in Hayat, Turkey is targeting Syrian Arab Army positions near #Latakia. Syria. This is an additional line of attack by Turkey, directly against the lawful army of the duly-elected government of Syria. Turkey and Syria are now in a de facto state of war.

mick silver

13th February 2016, 06:13 PM

Limited Nuclear War Within 18 days as Saudis (and Friends) mass 350,000 troops, 20,000 Tanks, 2,450 Planes, 460 Helicopters for Syria Invasion Post by Newsroom (https://www.superstation95.com/index.php/world/author/973-newsroom) - Feb 10, 2016

https://cdn.superstation95.com/media/k2/items/cache/01eec10693d9896b4d757174d0f20dd9_XL.jpg

Russia will have no choice but to use Tactical (Battlefield) Nuclear Weapons to defend Syria once a ground invasion begins within 18 days, by 350,000 troops, 20,000 Tanks, 2,450 military planes and 460 Helicopters from 25 countries massing in northern Saudi Arabia. Syria has warned "any aggressor entering the country will go home in wooden coffins;" Russia has said "any country sending ground troops into Syria without permission will be considered a declaration of war."
Thousands of soldiers from regional countries are set to participate in what is being "called" a military "exercise" media reports say.
Saudi media said some 350,000 forces from Persian Gulf Arab states and a number of other countries will take part in a Saudi-led military maneuver in the area of Hafer al-Batin in northern Saudi Arabia.
In addition to the massive troop build-up, some 2,540 warplanes, 20,000 tanks and 460 helicopters will also participate in the "exercise," dubbed “North Thunder.”
The "exercise" is scheduled to last 18 days, during which the airspace over northern Saudi Arabia will be closed.
Media reports say the "exercise" will be the largest in the history of the region. However, SuperStation95 has done research and there is no known example of this much military power being massed for an "exercise" . . . anywhere . . . ever. It seems quite obvious to any thinking person that the notion of an "exercise" is fraudulent on its face; this is an invasion force and when it moves, it will mean war.
Egypt, Sudan, Pakistan and Persian Gulf Arab states are among the 25 countries that will also take part in the "exercises."
The maneuver comes at a sensitive time after Saudi Arabia announced readiness to participate in any ground incursion in Syria if the US-led coalition decides to start such an operation. (Gee, what a coincidence.)
Saudi Arabia is a member of the US-led coalition that has been conducting air raids inside Syria. The airstrikes have been going on without any authorization from the Syrian government or a UN mandate since September 2014. The Saudi "exercise" is believed as preparation for a possible ground incursion into Syria.
Reacting to the troop deployment, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem said Saturday, “Let no one think they can attack Syria or violate its sovereignty because I assure you any aggressor will return to their country in a wooden coffin.”
Pavel Krasheninnikov, a deputy of Russia’s State Duma, has warned Saudi Arabia that any military ground operation in Syria without Damascus’ consent would amount to a declaration of war.

WHY NOW?The civil war which has been wrecking Syria for the past several years has been funded and backed by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United States and other countries. Months ago, when Russia entered the fray to protect their ally, Syria, the Russians began impacting the rebels in a big way.
Within the last week, it became very clear that the rebel/ISIS stronghold in Alleppo, Syria would be surrounded and cut-off by the Russians and the Syrian Arab Army. Once Alleppo is liberated by the legitimate Syrian government, the entire rebel effort will collapse.
That's why this past weekend, Saudi Arabia publicly floated the "offer" of providing 150,000 ground troops for a "U.S. lead invasion force to enter Syria to fight ISIS." Trouble is that ISIS is part of the rebel effort and the Saudis, Qataris' Turks and the USA all knew it. If the Saudis, Qataris, Turks and USA enter with ground troops, it will NOT be to "fight ISIS" but rather will be to protect the rebels!
US Defense Secretary Ash Carter publicly replied that the Saudis had a good idea and he would take it up with our other allies. But if Alleppo falls, then the final holdout of the terrorists and rebels, a city called Raqqa, will fall as well and at that point, the civil war is over and the bad guys will have lost.
As of tonight, February 10, 2016, Alleppo is now surrounded and cut-off. The Saudis are getting desperate to help their rebel/terrorist buddies.
The only way the Saudis, Qataris, Turks and USA can possibly _hope_ to protect their rebel pals is to enter in such massive force, they overwhelm the Russians. This triggers another problem: Russia has a doctrine of using tactical nuclear weapons FIRST to protect their interests and their territory.
TACTICAL NUKES MUST BE USED - NO OTHER CHOICEDuring the Cold War, when the old Soviet Union posed an invasion threat to western Europe, NATO's war plan called for NATO to use tactical nuclear weapons FIRST to stop the . . . 20,000 Russian tanks and overwhelming troops.
The same way NATO knew that's the only way to stop 20,000 tanks and several hundred thousand man invasion force, the Russians know it too! And the Russians will be FORCED to use tactical nukes in order to protect Syria.
As soon as those troops and tanks begin to cross into Syria, the Russian S-300 and S-400 missiles will begin taking-out the 2,450 military planes and 460 helicopters. The S-400 is probably the single most advanced anti-aircraft system in the world and the aggressor jets will drop like flies.
But when the 350,000 troops and 20,000 tanks start crossing the border, the ONLY solution for the Syrians and the Russians will be to use tactical nukes. Perhaps those artillery-launched nukes would be fired inside Syria, but they would detonate on the border with Jordan, or Iraq (wherever the troops are entering from) and the wind will start carrying the fallout deeper into those countries. Perhaps the nukes would be fired into Saudi Arabia itself (because that's where the mass of troops is coming from.)
Either way, the Arabs do not seem to realize who they are dealing with. Russia is a nuclear super power. Russia will NOT allow itself to be over-run or humiliated in Syria. Russia will do what Russia HAS to do; and an awful lot of Arab troops, who were lead down the primrose path by the US who is probably telling them they have nothing to worry about, will find out what it's like to see a sudden, bright, white flash, as their troops get vaporized.
The U.S. will not strike Russia back on behalf of the Arabs, because the US knows Russia would then start launching missiles into the US heartland. The Arabs will have been lead down the road to utter destruction, by a US President whose allegiance is questionable. Is he Sunni . . . . or is he Shia? Has anyone bothered to verify it? He certainly gave Iran a sweetheart nuclear deal. Iran is Shia, isn't it?
HERE IS HOW THIS WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLERight now, the mass media in the US is totally silent about how close we are to war. This is by design. When the Saudis and their pals begin the invasion and the Syrians and Russians are FORCED to use tactical nukes to stop them, the American people will suddenly be told "Russia has just attacked our ally, Saudi Arabia, with nuclear weapons. We must enter to defend our allies!" The American people, kept blissfully ignorant of who really started this and why, will say to themselves, "My God, those filthy bastards used nukes . . . .let's get em!" . . . . . and off to war we go.
Obama - if he is Shia - would then achieve another goal: destroying "the Great Satan" as Iran has called us! So we in the US have to ask ourselves, is Obama a Christian - as he has claimed - or is he a Muslim as many have said? And again, if he is Muslim, is he Sunni or is he Shia? We need only look at the sweetheart deal he gave to Iran to get a very good idea of the actual answer!

DIVERT ATTENTION FROM ECONOMIC COLLAPSEThe reason this is going to take place is simple: The government in the US, and those in Europe, need a DIVERSION to shift the public's attention away from the coming economic collapse.
Right now, banks throughout Europe are on the edge of collapse from their bad loans, speculation and corruption. In Germany, for instance, Deutsch Bank has seen more than fifty percent (50%) of its stock value get wiped out, with 40% of that fall since January 1. People are pulling money out in droves. The banks are becoming unstable.
If (or when) Deutsch Bank collapses, they are exposed to "Derivatives" worth $50 TRILLION. When the bank fails, the $50 TRILLION hits the rest of the banks and they collapse too.
In the USA, the "too big to fail" banks are now also heading into collapse because instead of changing when they needed bailouts in 2008, they kept right on doing what they were doing! Now they are all bigger and in worse debt!
The governments do not have the credit or the cash to bail out the banks again, so when the banks go under -- and they will -- the governments need to divert people's attention from the fact that their life savings and retirement moneys have been wiped out; and a "limited nuclear war" is just what they need to shift people's attention away from losing their life savings!

IT MAY ALREADY BE TOO LATEWe may not be able to stop what's coming, but we have to at least TRY. There does not have to be a war.
There is no reason or legitimate interest, in overthrowing the government of Syria and we are backing the bad guys if we continue trying to do that.
If we allow Saudi Arabia and their Muslim buddies to go into Syria, it absolutely, positively will result in immediate war with Russia, and the Saudis are massing so much firepower and armor that the only way Russia can defend Syria is to use tactical nukes.
Once that happens, the US will get sucked-in and our children will be sent to fight and die . . . . all as a diversion from the economic collapse caused by greedy bankers and inept politicians.
Please post links to this article via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram, Craig's List and whatever bulletin boards or forums you frequent. We HAVE to get the word out about what is taking place so our fellow citizens are not blind-sided by a war that does not have to take place.
Time is of the essence. There are only a maximum of 18 days left before it all goes to hell, and it may happen sooner than that.

Update:
Saudi’s decision to send troops to Syria in an attempt to bolster and toughen efforts against militants is “final,” the spokesman of the Saudi-led coalition force in Yemen announced on Thursday.
Brig. Gen. Ahmed Al-Assiri, said that Riyadh is “ready” and will fight with its U.S.-led coalition allies to defeat ISIS militants in Syria, however, he said Washington is more suitable to answer questions on further details about any future ground operations. “We are representing Saudi’s [decision] only” in sending troops, he said.
URGENT: MAJOR UPDATE ON THIS STORY as of 11:00 PM EST Feb. 11, 2016 CLICK HERE (https://www.superstation95.com/index.php/world/885)

mick silver

13th February 2016, 06:16 PM

Joshua01

13th February 2016, 07:26 PM

AMerica isn't really watching...tonight is the Republicant's debate and all the little angels are huddled around their TV sets absorbing the lies and quietly nodding their heads

Plastic

14th February 2016, 01:42 AM

Shit......

mick silver

14th February 2016, 04:54 AM

US urges Turkey to stop shelling Kurdish and Syrian forces Published time: 14 Feb, 2016 09:52
Get short URL (http://on.rt.com/74hm)

https://cdn.rt.com/files/2016.02/original/56c04bafc461888d468b45e6.jpg
© Alaa Al-Faqir / Reuters

1.1K

Washington has called on Turkey to cease massive artillery fire on Kurdish targets near the city of Azaz in northwest Syria, including an air base recently retaken from Islamist rebels, and to “deescalate tensions on all sides.”
“We are concerned about the situation north of Aleppo and are working to deescalate tensions on all sides,” State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement Saturday.
“We have also seen reports of artillery fire from the Turkish side of the border and urged Turkey to cease such fire,” he said.

Turkish armed forces began heavy artillery fire earlier Saturday, targeting Kurdish positions in what Turkish military officials called a "retaliation." The shelling also targeted Syrian forces, according to a military source quoted by RIA Novosti.
The Turkish shelling of Kurdish positions continued for over three hours almost without a break, a Kurdish source told RT. The source added that the Turkish forces were using mortars and missiles and firing from the Turkish border not far from the city of Azaz in the Aleppo Governorate.

The shelling targeted the Menagh military air base and the nearby village of Maranaz, where “many civilians were wounded,” local journalist Barzan Iso told RT. He added that Kurdish forces and their allies among “the Syrian democratic forces” had taken control of the air base Thursday.
Kirby said Turkey and the Syrian Kurdish fighters should work together, as they both share a serious threat from Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) in northern Syria.
He said that Washington does not consider the Syrian Kurds terrorists. The comment prompted anger in Ankara. Turkey's Foreign Ministry summoned the US ambassador John Bass on Tuesday, expressing its “unease,” AFP reported.

mick silver

14th February 2016, 04:57 AM

5 reasons to believe Turkey wants no peace in SyriaBy GPD (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/admin/) on February 13, 2016

http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/lido_897.jpgTurkey’s Armenian Auschwitz

The Turkish army’s latest shelling of Kurdish and Syrian army positions in northern Syria comes just days after a meeting of world powers in Munich settled on a plan to bring peace to Syria. Here are five reasons why the artillery attack was no coincidence.
The Syrian crisis is entering a crucial stage that could either end in world powers agreeing that peace must be given a chance in the war-torn country – or an all-out ground invasion by foreign troops, which has been threatened by Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the US. There are grounds to believe, however, that Ankara will not tolerate any peace in Syria that brings about a defeat of the anti-government forces there.
Saudi jets move to Turkish baseSaudi Arabia has been deploying military jets and personnel to Turkey’s southern Incirlik Air Base. The latest move is said to be part of the US-led effort to defeat the Islamic State terrorist group (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL), according to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. The base is currently being used by the US Air Force for their planes conducting sorties in Syria.
Earlier, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE voiced their readiness to contribute troops to a ground operation in Syria on the condition that the US would lead the intervention. The Gulf states, just as the Turkish government, want Syrian President Bashar Assad to be overthrown.
Middle East experts have warned that sending Turkish and Saudi troops into Syria would bring “catastrophic”consequences, while Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev has said (https://www.rt.com/news/332230-syria-permanent-war-saudis-us/) an intervention by foreign powers would result in “permanent”war in the region.
Turkey cracks down on Kurds, falls out with US over YPGTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has started a diplomatic row (https://www.rt.com/news/332095-turkey-erdogan-us-kurds/) with the US over Kurdish forces fighting Islamic State extremists in Syria. Ankara has branded the Kurds as terrorists, while the US maintains they are a helpful force in fighting Islamic State.
Kurds are seen as a formidable force in the border region. They have been simultaneously fighting IS and seeking more autonomy from Syria. The YPG took full control of the IS-besieged town of Kobane on the Syrian-Turkish border late last June.

Meanwhile, Turkey has repeatedly been blamed for targeting Kurdish fighters in the border region rather than IS.
Ankara has stepped up its crackdown on Kurdish militants in southeastern Turkey, who are fighting for the right to self-determination and greater autonomy. Since the summer of 2015, the country has seen some of its worst violence in two decades. In one of the latest incidents, Turkish police fired (https://www.rt.com/news/331910-turkey-diyarbakir-crackdown-kurds/) tear gas at thousands of people protesting in the city of Diyarbakir, while in the town of Cizre dozens of civilians have reportedly been killed (https://www.rt.com/news/332221-turkey-cizre-kurds-killed-op/) in Erdogan’s military crackdown, some of them whom had taken cover in basements.
Turkey threatens Syria op, says will defend ‘Aleppo brothers’
Turkey has already hinted that it could launch a ground invasion into Syria several times. The latest was Turkish PM Ahmet Davutoglu’s pledge to return a “historical debt” to Turkey’s “Aleppo brothers,” who helped defend the country in the early 20th century – just days after Russia had warned (https://www.rt.com/news/331278-turkey-military-invasion-syria/) of Ankara’s intentions to invade Syria, as the rebels there falter.
The Turkish saber rattling comes as the Syrian army is successfully making gains on militant positions in the northern Aleppo Governorate and Kurds on the Syrian-Turkish border have been recapturing infrastructure from Islamists, including a military airport. Both offensives are said to be supported by Russian airstrikes.

Turkey sets up presence inside Syria
Turkey has begun building a refugee camp on Syrian territory not far from the Turkish-Syrian border.
Speculations on the development range from Ankara planning to create a “buffer zone” inside Syria, to allegations that the Turks are creating a “human shield” to prevent the recapture of border territories. Kurds are reportedly not being let into the grounds of the refugee camp.

Turkey needs ISIS oil?Russia has repeatedly accused Turkey of benefiting from Islamic State’s illegal oil trade, which the UN is trying to crack down upon, with the Russian military directly implicating Erdogan’s family in the dirty business.
A report on IS’ illegal oil sales, compiled by Norway and leaked in December, has revealed that most of the IS-smuggled oil is trucked into Turkey, where it is sold off at very low prices.

Related Posts:

Assad warns about risks of Saudi and Turkish intervention into Syria (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/13/assad-warns-about-risks-of-saudi-and-turkish-intervention-into-syria/)

mick silver

14th February 2016, 04:59 AM

The B-61 – the ‘more usable’ nukeBy Ian Greenhalgh (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/iangreenhalgh/) on February 13, 2016
This tactical nuclear bomb may be the most dangerous weapon in America's arsenal.
by Ian GreenhalghA few months ago, I wrote an article in collaboration with Jeff Smith about the new generation of nuclear weapons and where we were at pains to stress the point that these modern nukes represent a far greater threat to peace because they had far higher ‘usability’ than earlier types due to their greater accuracy, lower yield and reduced radiation fallout.
We also wrote articles exposing the use of these modern tactical nukes in Yemen, Ukraine, China and elsewhere; but little did we realise that just a few short months later we could be facing the prospect of a scenario far worse than a single nuclear explosion – the use of dozens of these weapons in a full-scale nuclear, biological and chemical war.
The scenario reads like the script for a remake of Dr. Strangelove with a seemingly out of control dictator seizing control of a stockpile of nukes and using them in a first strike that ignites a terrible war.
The dictator in question is Turkey’s President Erdogan and the stockpile of nukes is the more than 80 B-61 tactical nukes owned by the US and stored at the Incirlik airbase in southern Turkey.
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/163-640x313.jpgErdogan – perhaps the key supporter of ISIS.

Latest intel reveals that Saudi special forces trained by Israel are ready to seize the Incirlik stockpile and thanks to the US nuclear secrets given to Israel by the Bush cabal, they are able to defeat the 5 levels of security that protect the bombs. F-16 fighter-bombers provided by the Saudis and modified into nuke carriers by the Israelis stand ready to deliver these deadly cargoes.
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/4095B13C-0538-437B-B536-4A2526C8B1DF_w640_s-640x360.pngIncirlik is only 175km from Aleppo in northern Syria, where the key fighting against ISIS is taking place.

Don’t doubt Erdogan’s willingness to add a nuclear dimension to this conflict; he has already used chemical (Sarin gas attacks in Syria) and biological (swine flu outbreaks in Kurdish territory) warfare so clearly the man has few scruples when it comes to WMDs.
Dr. Strangelove’s dark satire of Cold War nuclear lunacy may, half a century later, be more relevant and poignant than ever:

The weapons stored at Incirlik are B61 tactical nukes with a yield of 50 kilotons — tiny compared to the largest nuclear bombs in the megatonne range but more dangerous due to its usability which derives from a combination of its accuracy and low-yield.
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/b61s1-640x381.jpgB61s in storage at Incirlik.

According to the Federation of American Scientists, the B61-12 will be able to strike within 30 meters of its target. This accuracy allows the bomb to destroy targets that would have previously necessitated the use of a larger but more indiscriminate weapon.
As a result of the bomb’s relatively low yield, the weapon would produce less nuclear fallout than earlier nuclear weapons, something which would limit unintended casualties from a nuclear attack.
But this lower fallout also lowers the cost and scope of a nuclear strike — which could in turn increase the possibility that the bomb would actually be used in a military engagement.
Here you can see the latest B61 mod. 12 weapon being flight tested by the USAF. The carrier aircraft is the F-15, but the Turks and Saudis possess F-16s modified by Israel that can carry this weapon:

This infographic from Ploughshare.org explains the huge cost of upgrading these weapons to the latest mod. 12 revision:
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/B61-storygraphic-070813.jpg

Here is an excerpt from a November 2015 article published in the UK Guardian newspaper on the B61 upgrade programme:

“… In non-proliferation terms however the only thing worse than a useless bomb is a ‘usable’ bomb. Apart from the stratospheric price, the most controversial element of the B61 upgrade is the replacement of the existing rigid tail with one that has moving fins that will make the bomb smarter and allow it to be guided more accurately to a target. Furthermore, the yield can be adjusted before launch, according to the target.
“The modifications are at the centre of a row between anti-proliferation advocates and the government over whether the new improved B61-12 bomb is in fact a new weapon, and therefore a violation of President Obama’s undertaking not to make new nuclear weapons. His administration’s 2010 Nuclear Posture Review said life extension upgrades to the US arsenal would ‘not support new military missions or provide for new military capabilities.’
“The issue has a particular significance for Europe where a stockpile of 180 B61s is held in six bases in five countries. If there is no change in that deployment by the time the upgraded B61-12s enter the stockpile in 2024, many of them will be flown out to the bases in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy and Turkey.
“The row has had a semantic tone, revolving on what the definition of ‘new’ is, but arguably the only definition that counts is whether the generals and officials responsible for dropping bombs, view its role in a different light as a result of its refurbishment. Referring to the B61-12’s enhanced accuracy on a recent PBS Newshour television program, the former head of US Strategic Command, General James Cartwright, made this striking remark: ‘If I can drive down the yield, drive down, therefore, the likelihood of fallout, etc, does that make it more usable in the eyes of some- some president or national security decision-making process? And the answer is, it likely could be more usable.'”
Read more about the B61 bomb here:
http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/systems/b61.htm

mick silver

14th February 2016, 05:05 AM

Sweet Dream? Saudi Arabia Mulls Removing Syria’s Assad by Force© AFP 2016/ FAYEZ NURELDINE

Middle East (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/)14:31 14.02.2016(updated 14:45 14.02.2016) Get short URL
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Saudi Arabian foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir has warned that if the Syrian political process fails, President Bashar Assad will have to be removed "by force.""We will push as much as we can to ensure that the political process works. But if it doesn't work, it will be because of the obstinacy of the Syrian regime and that of its allies," Adel al-Jubeir told CNN.
"And should that prove to be the case, then it becomes clear that there is no option to remove Bashar al-Assad except by force," he added.
Last week Saudi Arabia (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160213/1034721571.html)said it was prepared to contribute ground troops to the fight in Syria, following a similar statement by the United Arab Emirates (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20150802/1025318297.html).

http://cdn3.img.sputniknews.com/images/102661/49/1026614974.jpg
© AP Photo/ Saudi Press Agency
Saudi Arabia Stations Warplanes at Turkish Airbase – Defense Ministry (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160213/1034721571/riyadh-has-planes-in-turkey.html)

Saudi warplanes, currently deployed at Turkey’s Incirlik airbase, are ready to bomb Raqqa and its environs with a senior Defense Ministry official saying that Riyadh planned to “destroy Islamic State forces in and around Raqqa” as part of the US-led coalition’s intention to step up its airstrikes against the terrorist group.Mentioning the possibility of a ground operation against Daesh (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160214/1034727817.html) in Syria, the official said that there were no Saudi troops in Turkey right now, but the coalition was “generally agreed” on the need for such an operation.
Meanwhile, a senior Syrian opposition representative said that the country had enough people ready to fight for democracy and did not need any outside help.
“We really have more than enough people ready to fight for democracy out there, and we need no outside help,” Salem Meslet, a representative of the opposition High Negotiations Committee (http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160203/1034163520.html), told Sputnik on Saturday when commenting on some Arab nations’ stated readiness to deploy their ground forces in Syria.
He added that the situation could change if Russia or Iran decided to send their ground forces to fight alongside the army of Syrian President Bashar Assad.
In the meantime, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter (http://sputniknews.com/world/20160202/1034104083.html) said that Washington was not considering any major Arab deployments to Syria, adding that the coalition was only studying the possibility of sending commando units to help the local opposition militias retake the de facto Daesh capital Raqqa in the north.

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Related:Saudi Arabia Stations Warplanes at Turkish Airbase – Defense Ministry (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160213/1034721571/riyadh-has-planes-in-turkey.html)Iran’s Zarif Slams Saudi Aggression, Calls for Political Solution in Syria (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160213/1034681700/zavad-syrian-political-solution.html)
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cheka.

14th February 2016, 05:39 AM

http://www.cnsnews.com/blog/michael-w-chapman/bachmann-muslim-migration-planned-invasion-purpose-destroying-western

The movement of Muslims, not a few of whom are radicalized, into Europe and the United States is a “planned invasion” for the “specific purpose of destroying Western Christendom,” said former House Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), who stressed that you do not see “this mass migration into Russia or into China” – it is “all headed toward Western Christendom.”

““We saw this mass migration, this people movement, which is a historic people movement of Muslims from Islamic nations tending to be the most radicalized nations -- from those nations into nations that are known as Western Christendom,” said Rep. Bachmann during a Feb. 6 interview on the Understanding The Times with Jan Markell radio program.

“So, you don’t see this mass migration into Russia, or into China, or into Indonesia,” she said. “This mass migration is all headed toward Western Christendom.”

Bachmann then said Minnesota is expected to have its “highest level immigration” this year.

On the migration in general, she said, “The people that are coming in are not Christians, generally speaking, very, very few Christians that are being moved. It is primarily Muslims and only young men, 80% tend to be young men going into Europe right now, for instance, but they also come from the most radicalized Islamists.”

“This clearly is an invasion,” said the former congresswoman. “This is a planned invasion, not only in Europe but also in the United States.”

“I believe for the specific purpose of destroying Western Christendom, because that has been the strength of the world, economically, but also the strength of the world in terms of leadership, the nations that are known as Western Christendom,” she said.

Neuro

14th February 2016, 06:50 AM

FLASH: Russian Government Issues URGENT Message: Russian Citizens URGED to Leave Turkey Within 24 Hours Post by Newsroom (https://www.superstation95.com/index.php/world/author/973-newsroom) - Feb 13, 2016

https://cdn.superstation95.com/media/k2/items/cache/423c23827096d15f6a3f90fd1a691b32_XL.jpg

In the clearest sign yet that the Syria situation is rapidly escalating to World War 3, the government of Russia has Urged all Russians in Turkey to Leave immediately!
FIGHTIN HAS ALREADY BEGUN between Syria and Turkey. Follow all developments via our LIVE Updated Coverage HERE (https://www.superstation95.com/index.php/world/886)

Last modified on Saturday, 13 February 2016 16:38
This is from the old shill and disinformant Hal Turner, as is the post above this one... I did see some confirmation on the military exercise Saudi is having called North Thunder, but I wouldn't trust the numbers from Hal Turner. To get to Syria, Saudi Arabia first have to get through Iraq...

mick silver

14th February 2016, 08:52 AM

Russia sends new cruise missile ship Zeleny Dol to SyriaBy Jim W. Dean, Managing Editor (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/dean/) on February 14, 2016

http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/0059a2776de814ec82c75a31f80fc571-640x338.jpg… from Press TV, Teheran (http://217.218.67.231/Detail/2016/02/13/450151/Russia-Zeleny-Dol-Syria-Trukhachev-Medvedev)
[ Editor’s Note: Timing, timing…the Russians are getting these ships out to the Med maybe before a shooting war might close the Black Sea route, which would be a big, but not terminal logistics problem for Russia. Putin will play a cool hand here as always.When the Russian tourist plane was taken down in Egypt by unknown attackers (the story has totally disappeared as to what the final black box determinations were) I wrote that Moscow would seek its revenge on the Syrian battlefield, which we are watching happen now before our very eyes.I predict that Putin will let others overplay their hand and make the big mistakes, even if he has to take some casualties. Through all of this he and Lavrov are the most highly respected statesmen on the planet.
____________– First published … February 13, 2016 –The Russian Navy has dispatched a new warship equipped with cruise missiles to the Mediterranean, with reports saying that it is bound for Syria.
The Russian Defense Ministry’s head of Black Sea Fleet’s information department said on Saturday that the Zeleny Dol Buyan-M class corvette, armed with Kalibr anti-ship missiles, departed for the Mediterranean to join the country’s permanent naval task force there, Russia’s Sputnik news agency reported.

“Today, the Zeleny Dol missile corvette and the Kovrovets minesweeper of the Black Sea Fleet left [the Crimean port of] Sevastopol to begin carrying out tasks as part of Russia’s permanent naval task force in the Mediterranean,” Vyacheslav Trukhachev said.
The Russian official added that the patrol ship will conduct tasks in the Mediterranean for the first time. The Russian news agency further quoted a security source in Crimea – where the Black Sea fleet is based – as saying that the corvette will join the Russian warships operating off the coast of Syria in the coming days.
“The goals of the ship are not public but considering that it is carrying long-range cruise missiles, its participation in the military operation should not be excluded,” the source said.
The report comes as on Saturday, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev warned against any ground intervention in Syria by countries in the US-led coalition allegedly fighting Daesh Takfiri group, saying it would unleash another war.
“Don’t threaten anyone with a ground operation,” he said in a speech at the Munich Security Conference, stressing that Moscow is doing its utmost to pave the way for a lasting peace in the conflict-stricken country.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain have recently expressed willingness to send troops to Syria to join the US-led campaign.
“It is important to save a united Syrian state, preventing it from falling apart into religion-based [fragments]. The world can’t afford another Libya, Yemen or Afghanistan. The outcomes of such a scenario would be disastrous for the entire Middle East,” Medvedev said.
Russia launched its own aerial campaign against the Daesh Takfiri terrorists and other militant groups in Syria on September 30, 2015, upon a request from the Damascus government. The air raids have expedited the advances of Syrian forces against militants.
The Russian strikes have drawn criticism from Western governments and their allies in the Middle East, which have been supporting the militants operating in the region
The foreign-sponsored conflict in Syria, which began in March 2011, has claimed the lives of some 470,000 people, according to the Syrian Center for Policy Research.

____________
Related Posts:

Sleeper Story of the Day: Russia sends “missile systems” to Syria (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2015/11/05/sleeper-story-of-the-day-russia-sends-missile-systems-to-syria/)
Breaking: Saudi Arabia moves planes to Turkey, Joint attack on Russian, Syrian and Kurdish forces begins (continually updated) (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/13/breaking-saudi-arabia-moves-planes-to-turkey-joint-attack-on-russian-syrian-and-kurdish-forces-begins/)
Cuban Missile Crisis Mark 11 (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/11/cuban-missile-crisis-mark-11/)
Russia May Use Nukes to Oppose Saudi Invasion of Syria (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/11/russia-may-use-nukes-to-oppose-saudi-invasion-of-syria/)
Russia made proposals for Syria ceasefire, waiting for reaction from US – Lavrov (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/11/russia-made-proposals-for-syria-ceasefire-waiting-for-reaction-from-us-lavrov/)

Glass

15th February 2016, 09:03 PM

interesting weapons. Anyone know anything about it? I think it's the same weapon used in several different ways.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MXFnUJMRaY

00:01 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MXFnUJMRaY&feature=youtu.be#) BETAB-500 (concrete-bomb, anti bunker)
00:32 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MXFnUJMRaY&feature=youtu.be#) RBK-500 SPBA-D (to destroy armored vehicles)
02:26 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MXFnUJMRaY&feature=youtu.be#) ODAB-500 (volume detonating, thermobaric bomb)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MXFnUJMRaY

mick silver

16th February 2016, 04:18 AM

Data Shows Airstrikes on Syrian Hospital Launched by US-Led Coalition Jet© AFP 2016/ STRINGER

Middle East (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/)13:25 16.02.2016(updated 13:55 16.02.2016) Get short URL
3 (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160216/1034831694/syria-hospital-us-coalition.html#comments)1563260

Airstrikes on a hospital affiliated with Doctors Without Borders, or Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF), and a children’s hospital in Syria were carried out by aircraft departing the US Incirlik Airbase in Turkey, a member of the Russian upper house’s Committee on International Policy said Tuesday.MOSCOW (Sputnik) – On Monday, the Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said that a hospital (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160215/1034771402/idlib-syria-airstrikes.html) in the northwestern Syrian city of Maarat Numan, in the Idlib province, was hit by four rockets. It did not say which of the warring parties was suspected to be behind the deadly attack (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160215/1034798443/shelling-hospital-syria.html) claiming the lives of at least seven people.

“Reconnaissance data shows that the planes carrying out the strikes on these civilian facilities took to the skies from the US base in Turkey’s Incirlik where US-led coalition and Turkish airplanes are based,” Senator Igor Morozov told RIA Novosti.

http://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/images/103479/84/1034798403.jpg
© AFP 2016/ STRINGER
Kremlin Dismisses 'Unacceptable' Claims of Russia Behind Strike on Syria Hospital (http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160216/1034829557/kremlin-syria-hospital.html)

Meanwhile, Syrian Ambassador to Moscow Riad Haddad accused the US (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160215/1034810903.html) of striking a hospital in Syria’s Idlib province, while Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu accused Russia (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160215/1034794378/turkey-russia-msf-hospital.html) of striking the hospital.The Russian Defense Ministry has repeatedly said that allegations of civilian casualties (http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160208/1034415224/moscow-claims-russian-strikes.html) in Russia's strikes are aimed to distract the international community form the four-year-long Syrian civil war. Moscow reiterated that all information regarding targets is always checked and double-checked before delivering strikes.
Moscow urged not to trust distorted media reports and "not become a victim of perverse information (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20151001/1027834384/russia-syria-peksov-terrorism.html)".

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Related:Kremlin Slams Unacceptable Claims of Russia Behind Strike on Syria Hospital (http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160216/1034829557/kremlin-syria-hospital.html)Syrian Ambassador to Russia Accuses US of Airstrike on MSF-Backed Hospital (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160215/1034810903/msf-hospital-airstrike-syria.html)Shelling of Hospital in Syria Kills 7, Another 8 Presumed Dead - MSF (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160215/1034798443/shelling-hospital-syria.html)
Tags:
anti-terrorist coalition (http://sputniknews.com/tags/keyword_anti-terrorist_coalition/), hospital (http://sputniknews.com/tags/keyword_hospital/), airstrike (http://sputniknews.com/tags/keyword_airstrike/), Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) (http://sputniknews.com/tags/organization_Medecins_Sans_Frontieres_MSF/), Igor Morozov (http://sputniknews.com/tags/tag_Igor_Morozov/), Syria (http://sputniknews.com/tags/geo_Syria/), United States (http://sputniknews.com/tags/geo_United_States/)

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160216/1034831694/syria-hospital-us-coalition.html#ixzz40KRnKwKS

mick silver

16th February 2016, 04:30 AM

Russia Warns Of “Permanent War” As Turkey, Saudi Arabia Set To Invade SyriaSource: Brandon Turbeville (http://www.activistpost.com/2016/02/russia-warns-of-permanent-war-as-turkey-saudi-arabia-set-to-invade-syria.html)

As the Syrian government is swiftly gaining control over the terrorists who have run rampant all across the country for the past five years, NATO and the GCC are kicking their provocations into high gear. Unfortunately, if NATO is prepared to go all the way in its goal to destroy the Syrian government, the rest of the world may find itself locked in the midst of a third world war.
Such a possibility is exactly what Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev warned about in an interview (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3443702/Russian-PM-issues-starkest-warning-Syrian-conflict-spark-World-War-Three-Using-ground-troops-draw-says-Medvedev.html) with German newspaper, Handelsblatt. When asked about the recent announcement by Saudi Arabia that the feudal monarchy is considering sending ground troops to Syria, Medvedev responded that “the Americans and our Arab partners must consider whether or not they want a permanent war.”
Medvedev stated that such an operation “draws everyone taking part in it into a war.”
Yet that has not stopped the Saudis or the Turks from preparations for an invasion of Syria or from becoming increasingly aggressive in the meantime. For one, Saudi Arabia has sent jets to Turkey’s Incirlik Airbase (http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-02-13/turkey-says-massive-escalation-syria-imminent-saudis-set-launch-airstrikes), where NATO planes are already stationed. Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkish Foreign Minister, stated on February 13 that the jets would be deployed at Incirlik and that Saudi Arabia and Turkey would be engaging in “ground operations” in Syria under the guise of fighting ISIS. As Hurriyet Daily News reported,

“This is not an issue for Turkey or Saudi Arabia alone, we have been saying that the coalition should be doing this,” Çavuşoğlu said when asked about reports of a possible ground operation against ISIL by Turkey and Saudi Arabia in Syria.
“But there is no solid decision on this yet, no concrete strategy. This is not a new idea, but as of today there is no final decision regarding a ground operation,” he added.
Riyadh and Ankara (http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/tag/Ankara) are both opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whose foreign minister last week warned that any ground intervention would “amount to aggression that must be resisted.”
Al-Assiri said the decision to deploy an unspecified number of jets to Turkey followed a meeting in Brussels of U.S.-led anti-ISIL coalition members, who decided step up their fight against jihadists in Syria and Iraq. He stressed that Saudi Arabia made its decision in coordination with the coalition and a ground operation was being planned.
“There is a consensus among coalition forces on the need for ground operations and the Kingdom is committed to that,” al-Assiri said.
“Military experts will meet in the coming days to finalize the details, the task force and the role to be played by each country,” he added.
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir also told reporters on Feb. 14 that his country was ready to send special forces to Syria to take part in ground operations against ISIL, without giving further details.
In addition to the obvious preparation for an invasion of Syria, Turkey has repeatedly shelled Syrian forces, Kurdish fighters, and civilians across the border in the last week. For instance, Turkey has shelled (http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-02-13/turkey-says-massive-escalation-syria-imminent-saudis-set-launch-airstrikes) the Kurdish held airbase of Minnigh in Aleppo as well as Kurdish-controlled positions all across Northern Syria.
The Independent reported (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/turkey-shells-kurdish-fighters-in-syria-aleppo-province-as-bashar-al-assads-forces-continue-to-a6872206.html) that

Shelling was reported at Menagh air base, a former Syrian Air Force facility that Kurds seized from Islamist rebels just days ago, and at three other positions between the airport and Turkish border. The air base has been a key target for several parties in the Syrian civil war since 2012, being besieged by rebels for almost a year until it was seized by a coalition including an early form of Isis and the al-Qaeda-linked Jabhat al-Nusra in August 2013 [and] it remained in rebel hands until Thursday, when Kurdish PYD fighters capitalised on the diversion caused by Bashar al-Assad’s forces and Russian air strikes attacking rebel areas to the south to seize Menagh.
Predictably, Turkish Prime Minister Davutoglu claims the shelling was in accordance with “rules of engagement.”
Turkey has also shelled SDF positions (http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-syria-shelling-idUKKCN0VM0PA) in the city of Azaz, a city that represents the western border of the main ISIS supply route known as the “Jarablus corridor,” illustrating the growing complexity and multi-layered nature of the crisis in Syria since the SDF is partially supported by the United States.
Turkey has repeatedly warned Kurdish forces against attempting to seize the Jarablus corridor, fearing an attempt at the creation of a Kurdish state on its southern border and the eventual inflammation of tensions with Turkish Kurds as well as a desire to keep a vital artery open to ISIS so that the terrorist organization may continue to enter and be resupplied in Syria.
Russia’s warning, however, remains looming in the background. Clearly, it is a warning that must be taken seriously.

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mick silver

16th February 2016, 07:32 AM

A Dramatic Escalation Appears Imminent
Week Eighteen of the Russian Intervention in Syria

The Saker

February 15, 2016 "Information Clearing House (http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/)" - "Unz Review (http://www.unz.com/tsaker/week-eighteen-of-the-russian-intervention-in-syria-a-dramatic-escalation-appears-imminent/) " - The situation in Syria has reached a watershed moment and a dramatic escalation of the war appears imminent. Let’s look again at how we reached this point. During the first phase of the operation, the Syrian armed forces were unable to achieve an immediate strategic success. This is rather unsurprising. It is important to remember here that during the first weeks of the operation the Russian did not provide close air support to the Syrians. Instead, they chose to systematically degrade the entire Daesh (Note: I refer to *all* terrorist in Syria as “Daesh”) infrastructure including command posts, communication nodes, oil dumps, ammo dumps, supply routes, etc. This was important work, but it did not have an immediate impact upon the Syrian military. Then the Russians turned to two important tasks: to push back Daesh in the Latakia province and to hit the illegal oil trade between Daesh and Turkey. The first goal was needed for the protection of the Russian task force and the second one hit the Daesh finances. Then the Russians seriously turned to providing close air support. Not only that, but the Russians got directly involved with the ground operation.
The second phase was introduced gradually, without much fanfare, but it made a big difference on the ground: the Russians and Syrians began to closely work together and they soon honed their collaboration to a quantitatively new level which allowed the Syrian commanders to use Russian firepower with great effectiveness. Furthermore, the Russians began providing modern equipment to the Syrians, including T-90 tanks, modern artillery systems, counter-battery radars, night vision gear, etc. Finally, according to various Russian reports, Russian special operations teams (mostly Chechens) were also engaged in key locations, including deep in the rear of Daesh. As a result, the Syrian military for the first time went from achieving tactical successes to operational victories: for the first time the Syrian began to liberate key towns of strategic importance.
Finally, the Russians unleashed a fantastically intense firepower on Daesh along crucial sectors of the front. In northern Homs, the Russians bombed a sector for 36 hours in a row (http://russia-insider.com/en/politics/no-more-games-syria-russia-pulverizes-moderate-rebels-36-straight-hours/ri12658). According to the latest briefing of the Russian Defense Ministry (https://youtu.be/Ar_mCyaYP5g), just between February 4th and February 11th, the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic performed 510 combat sorties and engaged 1,888 terrorists targets. That kind of ferocious pounding did produce the expected effect and the Syrian military began slowly moving along the Turkish-Syrian border while, at the same time, threatening the Daesh forces still deployed inside the northern part of Aleppo. In doing so, the Russians and Syrian threatened to cut off the vital resupply route linking Daesh to Turkey. According to Russian sources, Daesh forces were so demoralized that they forced the local people to flee towards the Turkish border and attempted to hide inside this movement of internally displaced civilians.
This strategic Russian and Syrian victory meant that all the nations supporting Daesh, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the USA were facing a complete collapse of their efforts to overthrow Assad and to break-up Syria and turn part of it into a “Jihadistan”. The Americans could not admit this, of course; as for the Saudis, their threats to invade Syria were rather laughable. Which left the main role to Erdogan who was more than happy to provide the West with yet another maniacal ally willing to act in a completely irresponsible way just to deny the “other side” anything looking like a victory.
Erdogan seems to be contemplating two options. The first one is a ground operation into Syria aimed at restoring the supply lines of Daesh and at preventing the Syrian military from controlling the border. Here is a good illustration (taken from a SouthFront video (http://thesaker.is/foreign-policy-diary-turkeys-military-intervention-to-syria/)) of what this would look like:
According to various reports, Erdogan has 18,000 soldiers supported by aircraft, armor and artillery poised along the border to execute such an invasion.
The second plan is even simpler, at least in theory: to create a no-fly zone over all of Syria. Erdogan personally mentioned this option several times, the latest one on Thursday the 11th (http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/02/11/449730/Turkey).
Needless to say, both plans are absolutely illegal under international law and would constitute an act of aggression, the “supreme international crime” according to the Nuremberg Tribunal (http://www.economist.com/node/14205505), because “it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole.” Not that this would deter a megalomaniac like Erdogan.
Erdogan, and his backers in the West, will, of course, claim that a humanitarian disaster, or even a genocide, is taking place in Aleppo, that there is a “responsibility to protect” (R2P) and that no UNSC is needed to take such clearly “humanitarian” action. It would be “Sarajevo v2” or “Kosovo v2” all over again. The western media is now actively busy demonizing Putin, and just recently has offered the following topics to ponder to those poor souls who still listen to it:

Putin ‘probably’ ordered the murder of Litvinenko (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/21/alexander-litvinenko-was-probably-murdered-on-personal-orders-of-putin).
Putin ordered the murder of Litvinenko because Litvinenko was about to reveal that Putin was a pedophile (http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/01/21/alexander-litvinenko-was-killed-killed-for-calling-putin-a-pedophile.html) (seriously, I kid you not – check for yourself!).
WWIII could start by Russia invading Latvia (http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2016/05/inside-the-war-room).
According to the US Treasury, Putin is a corrupt man (http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-russia-treasury-idUSKCN0V32KA).
According to George Soros, Putin wants the “disintegration of the EU” and Russia is a bigger threat than the Jihadis (https://www.rt.com/news/332193-putin-eu-disintegration-soros/).
Russia is so scary that the Pentagon wants to quadruple the money for the defense of Europe (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-35476180).
The Putin is strengthening ISIS in Syria (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/02/putin-strengthening-isis-syria-uk-foreign-secretary-philip-hammond-russia) and causing a wave of refugees (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/turkey/11926601/Russian-air-strikes-in-Syria-could-cause-a-new-refugee-crisis-Turkish-PM-says.html).

There is no need to continue the list – you get the idea. It is really Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, Libya all over again, with the exact same “humanitarian crocodile tears” and the exact same rational for an illegal aggression. And instead of Sarajavo “martyr city besieged by Serbian butchers” we would now have Aleppo “martyr city besieged by Syrian butchers”. I even expect a series of false flags inside Aleppo next “proving” that “the world” “must act” to “prevent a genocide”.
The big difference, of course, is that Yugoslavia, Serbia, Iraq and Libya were all almost defenseless against the AngloZionist Empire. Not so Russia.
In purely military terms, Russia has taken a number of crucial steps: she declared a large scale “verification” of the “combat readiness” of the Southern and Central military districts. In practical terms, this means that all the Russian forces are on high alert, especially the AeroSpace forces, the Airborne Forces, the Military Transportation Aviation forces and, of course, all the Russian forces in Crimea and the Black Sea Fleet (http://tass.ru/en/defense/856042). The first practical effect of such “exercises” is not only to make a lot of forces immediately available, but it is also to make them very difficult to track. This not only protects the mobilized forces, but also makes it very hard for the enemy to figure out what exactly they are doing. There are also report that Russian Airborne Warning and Control (AWACS) aircraft – A-50M – are now regularly flying over Syria. In other words, Russia has taken the preparations needed to go to war with Turkey.
Needless to say, the Turks and the Saudis have also announced joint military exercises (http://www.sott.net/article/312055-Fueling-tensions-Turkey-Saudi-Arabia-plan-to-conduct-joint-war-games). They have even announced that Saudi aircraft will conduct airstrikes from the Incirlik air base in support of an invasion of Syria (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudi-arabia-sends-troops-and-fighter-jets-to-military-base-in-turkey-ahead-of-intervention-against-a6871611.html).
At the same time, the Russians have also launched a peace initiative (https://www.rt.com/news/332142-russia-ceasefire-proposals-syria/) centered around a general ceasefire starting on March 1st or even, according to the latest leaks, on February 15th. The goal is is transparent: to break the Turkish momentum towards an invasion of Syria. It is obvious that Russian diplomats are doing everything they can to avert a war with Turkey.
Here again I have to repeat what I have said already a million times in the past: the small Russian contingent in Syria is in a very precarious position: far away from Russia and very close (45km) to Turkey. Not only that, but the Turks have over 200 combat aircraft ready to attack, whereas the Russians probably has less than 20 SU-30/35/34s in total. Yes, these are very advanced aircraft, of the 4++ generation, and they will be supported by S-400 systems, but the force ratio remains a terrible 1:10.
Russia does, however, have one big advantage over Turkey: Russia has plenty of long-range bombers, armed with gravity bombs and cruise missiles, capable of striking the Turks anywhere, in Syria and in Turkey proper. In fact, Russia even has the capability to strike at Turkish airfields (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Turkish_Air_Force_bases_and_airfields), something which the Turks cannot prevent and something which they cannot retaliate in kind for. The big risk for Russia, at this point, would be that NATO would interpret this as a Russian “aggression” against a member-state, especially if the (in)famous Incirlik air base is hit (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incirlik_Air_Base).
Erdogan also has to consider another real risk: that, while undoubtedly proficient, the Turkish forces might not be a match for the battle-hardened Kurds and Syrians, especially if the latter are supported by Iranian and Hezbollah forces. The Turks have a checkered record against the Kurds whom they typically do overwhelm with firepower and numbers, but whom they never succeeded in neutralizing, subduing or eliminating. Finally, there is the possibility that Russians might have to use their ground forces, especially if the task force in Khmeimim is really threatened.
In this regard, let me immediately say that the projection of, say, an airborne force so far from the Russian border to protect a small contingent like the one in Khmeimim is not something the Airborne Forces are designed for, at least not “by the book”. Still, in theory, if faced with a possible attack on the Russian personnel in Khmeimin, the Russians could decide to land a regimental-size airborne force, around 1,200 men, fully mechanized, with armor and artillery. This force could be supplemented by a Naval Infantry battalion with up to another 600 men. This might not seem like much in comparison to the alleged 18,000 men Erdogan has massed at the border, but keep in mind that only a part of these 18,000 would be available for any ground attack on Khmeimin and that the Russian Airborne forces can turn even a much larger force into hamburger meat (http://thesaker.is/ulus-kert-an-airborne-companys-last-stand/) (for a look at modern Russian Airborne forces please see here (http://thesaker.is/a-look-into-the-modern-russian-airborne-forces/)). Frankly, I don’t see the Turks trying to overrun Khmeimin, but any substantial Turkish ground operation will make such a scenario at least possible and Russian commanders will not have the luxury of assuming that Erdogan is sane, not after the shooting down of the SU-24. After that the Russians simply have to assume the worst.
What is clear is that in any war between Russia and Turkey NATO will have to make a key decision: is the alliance prepared to go to war with a nuclear power like Russia to protect a lunatic like Erdogan? It is hard to imagine the US/NATO doing something so crazy but, unfortunately, wars always have the potential to very rapidly get out of control. Modern military theory has developed many excellent models of escalation but, unfortunately, no good model of how de-escalation could happen (at least not that I am aware of). How does one de-escalate without appearing to be surrendering or at least admitting to being the weaker side?
The current situation is full of dangerous and unstable asymmetries: the Russian task force in Syria is small and isolated and it cannot protect Syria from NATO or even from Turkey, but in the case of a full-scale war between Russia and Turkey, Turkey has no chance of winning, none at all. In a conventional war opposing NATO and Russia I personally don’t see either side losing (whatever ‘losing’ and ‘winning’ mean in this context) without engaging nuclear weapons first. This suggests to me that the US cannot allow Erdogan to attack the Russian task force in Syria, not during a ground invasion and, even less so, during an attempt to establish a no-fly zone.
The problem for the USA is that it has no good option to achieve its overriding goal in Syria: to “prevent Russia from winning”. In the delusional minds of the AngloZionist rulers, Russia is just a “regional power” which cannot be allowed to defy the “indispensable nation”. And yet, Russia is doing exactly that both in Syria and in the Ukraine and Obama’s entire Russia policy is in shambles. Can he afford to appear so weak in an election year? Can the US “deep state” let the Empire be humiliated and its weakness exposed?
The latest news strongly suggests to me that the White House has taken the decision to let Turkey and Saudi Arabia invade Syria. Turkish officials are openly saying that an invasion is imminent (http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/02/13/450083/Saudi) and that the goal of such an invasion would be to reverse the Syrian army gains along the boder and near Aleppo. (http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/02/13/450065/Turkey) The latest reports are also suggesting that the Turks have begun shelling Aleppo (http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-02-13/turkey-says-massive-escalation-syria-imminent-saudis-set-launch-airstrikes). None of that could be happening without the full support of CENTCOM and the White House.
The Empire has apparently concluded that Daesh is not strong enough to overthrow Assad, at least not when the Russian AeroSpace forces are supporting him, so it will now unleash the Turks and the Saudis in the hope of changing the outcome of this war or, if that is not possible, to carve up Syria into ‘zones of responsibility” – all under the pretext of fighting Daesh, of course.
The Russian task force in Syria is about to be very seriously challenged and I don’t see how it could deal with this new threat by itself. I very much hope that I am wrong here, but I have do admit that a *real* Russian intervention in Syria might happen after all (http://www.unz.com/tsaker/a-russian-military-intervention-in-syria-i-very-much-doubt-it/), with MiG-31s and all (http://www.unz.com/tsaker/on-russian-military-interventions-or-lack-thereof/). In fact, in the next few days, we are probably going to witness a dramatic escalation of the conflict in Syria.

Click for Spanish (http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.aspx?from=&to=es&a=http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/), German (http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.aspx?from=&to=de&a=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.informationclearinghouse.info%2 F), Dutch (http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.aspx?from=&to=nl&a=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.informationclearinghouse.info%2 F), Danish (http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.aspx?from=&to=da&a=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.informationclearinghouse.info%2 F), French (http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.aspx?from=en&to=fr&a=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.informationclearinghouse.info%2 F), translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load.
- See more at: http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article44215.htm#sthash.bm5i0qmI.dpuf

mick silver

16th February 2016, 07:35 AM

The "Race To Raqqa" - A Syrian Campaign PlanBy Moon Of Alabama
February 15, 2016 "Information Clearing House (http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/)" - "Moon Of Alabama (http://www.moonofalabama.org/2016/02/the-race-to-raqqa-a-syrian-campaign-plan.html)" - There is today a lot of indignation in "western" media over the Russian air campaign in Syria. One, two, three, ... hospitals were bombed!. And schools! An the rebels lost more villages! Barrel bombs! Cluster bombs! One must ask how many of these "hospitals" were really hospitals and not just quarters for Jihadi "rebels". From the videos that were published I could identify only one destroyed building that might have been a real hospital. But ever there no medical equipment was visible in the debris. Could this probably arranged media assault be the preparation for some new false flag stunt or some other planned escalation?
Hardly any mentions was made today about continued Turkish shelling of Kurdish towns in Syria. As soon as the Syrian artillery will be near the border, in a week or so, such shelling will be answered and the situation will then escalate very fast.
The Russian promised that the The “Gates of hell” will be open in the coming months in Syria (https://elijahjm.wordpress.com/2016/02/14/the-gates-of-hell-will-be-open-in-the-coming-months-in-syria/). The current massive Russian bombing is the beginning of that campaign. "Rebels" running away from a town due to bombing are not able to kill the Syrian soldiers that then enter that town. Houses and infrastructure can be rebuild but dead soldiers can not be resurrected. That is the simple rule that now guides the Syrian government campaigns. There are no hints yet of how exactly the liberation of Aleppo province, rebel held parts of Aleppo city and in Idleb will proceed. There is a bigger campaign plan behind it but it is not yet visible.
Visible though is the Syrian plan of the Race to Raqqa (http://www.moonofalabama.org/2016/02/the-race-to-raqqa-is-intensifying.html) against the Islamic State.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/race-forraqqa-map.jpg
map via (https://twitter.com/Souria4Syrians/status/699282748834447360) The 'Nimr' Tiger (https://twitter.com/Souria4Syrians) -From the south west a brigade sized force of the Syrian army (red), soon to be reinforced by volunteer units, is pushing north-east towards Tabqa airbase which lies south of Route 4 and the city of Al Tawra. Both are held by the Islamic State (grey). The troops are now some 15 kilometers away from the base. Should the Syrian army take the base it would achieve firecontrol over Route 4 from Turkey via Al Bab to Raqqa and could stop most Islamic State traffic on that road. Should the army take Al Taqra city it could also capture the Taqwa dam of the Assad barrier lake. Then all Islamic State forces west of the Euphrates would be completely cut of from Raqqa and Iraq. They could be further split up by Syrian army forces coming from Aleppo going east and in the north by Kurdish forces (yellow) going west . The Islamic State would lose a lot of terrain in that move and, much more important, its sole open access route to Turkey. The difficult attack on Raqqa city itself, some 15 kilometers further east, would only come after the Tabqa base and Al Tawra are taken.
But few military plans survive the contact with the enemy and there are other forces that would like to get their hands on Raqqa before the Syrian army reaches it
Last week the Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim visited the Turkish President Erdogan in Istanbul. Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar have declared that they would join the announced Saudi ground campaign against the Islamic State should the U.S. take the command and lead. Saudi fighter jets have landed in Incirlik airbase. A Kuwaiti air transport plane landed in Hatay today, allegedly filled with weapons. The Turkish Prime Minister Davutoglu is visiting Ukraine with a large delegation. Is there some coordination ongoing? A diversion in Ukraine to keep the Russians busy in Ukraine while an Turkish/Gulf Arab attack is launched on Syria? Or vice versa?
While the situation for the Syrian government and its allies looks much better now than six month ago, the war on Syria is far from over. It may well expand and escalate further before an end is in sight.

- See more at: http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article44221.htm#sthash.1Ag9VuFK.dpuf

mick silver

16th February 2016, 09:15 AM

STUNNING DEVELOPMENTS: Syria / Russia / Turkey / Saudi Arabia Situation Changed DRAMATICALLY TODAY -- War very near Post by Newsroom (https://www.superstation95.com/index.php/world/author/973-newsroom) - Feb 15, 2016

https://cdn.superstation95.com/media/k2/items/cache/f964ddc910acbc5c426350c1b152e08d_XL.jpg

Staggering and dangerous developments in the Middle East on 15 February. Raging battles, furious politics. War draws nearer each HOUR!

Here is what your Mass Media has failed to tell you about the rapidly expanding conflict which is leading directly to World War 3. Perhaps only days away.

ALL TIMES LISTED BELOW ARE EASTERN U.S. TIME AND HIGHLIGHTED IN YELLOW AS THIS TEXT
Analysis and Questions which need to be asked are highlighted in light blue as this text.

01:08 AM Syria takes Turkish artillery attacks to United Nations
Syria has condemned Turkish military action against Kurdish fighters in northern Syria and described it as a violation of its sovereignty.
It called on the UN Security Council to take action.
Turkey carried out a second day of shelling on Sunday of Kurdish forces advancing in northern Aleppo province.
Ankara views the Kurdish militia in Syria as allied to the outlawed PKK, which has carried out a decades-long campaign for autonomy in Turkey. But the United States and others back the Kurdish militia in Syria, the YPG, in its fight against the so-called Islamic State (IS) group.
Syria has accused Turkey of violating its sovereignty by backing "al-Qaeda-linked terrorists" in the north and has warned it has a right to respond. "Turkish artillery shelling of Syrian territory constitutes direct support to the armed terrorist organizations," the Syrian government said in letters to the UN Secretary General and the Security Council's Chairman.
The letters accused Turkey of allowing about 100 gunmen - believed to be either "Turkish soldiers or Turkish mercenaries" - to cross into Syria. "[Syria] will maintain its legitimate right to respond to the Turkish crimes and attacks and to claim compensation for the damage caused."
France's foreign ministry has also urged Turkey to end its assault on Kurdish fighters in northern Syria.

01:12 AM Iranian General issues direct warning to #Saudi Arabia over military.
https://media.almasdarnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Masoud_Jazayeri.jpg
The Deputy Chief of Staff for the Iranian Army issued a direct warning to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after the latter deployed several aerial assets to Turkey on Saturday.
Speaking to Al-Alam TV on Sunday, Brigadier General Massoud Al-Jazayeri stated “we will not let the situation in Syria be dictated by opposing countries. We will take the necessary actions in due time.”
This was General Jazayeri’s response to a question regarding Iran’s plan to deploy more military advisers to Syria if the Saudi Army enters the country.
The Saudi regime confirmed on Saturday that they had deployed several warplanes to the Incirlik Military Airport in southern Turkey in order to “intensify” their operations against the so-called “Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham” (ISIS).
General Jazayeri added that “the terrorists fighting in Syria today are the same forces used by Saudi Arabia and Americans in the region.”
From “what country, except Turkey, do the terrorists commute to Syria? Which countries, if not the reactionary Arab countries, support them?” he asked.
“Today, with the victories of the Syrian army and the popular forces, they want to send troops to Syria, but it is a bluff and a psychological war,” Jazayeri added.
“Saudi Arabia has used everything at its disposal in the Syrian front and so far they have failed not only in Syria but also in Yemen.”

01:40 AM Turkish defense minister confirms its forces opened fire on Tel Rifaat & Minagh inside Syria.

@TRTalarabiya (https://twitter.com/TRTalarabiya) @JKhashoggi (https://twitter.com/JKhashoggi) اللهم سددرميهم وانصرهم على اعداالامه
— moham (@salahedinmohamm) February 14, 2016 (https://twitter.com/salahedinmohamm/status/699010920094306309)
ANALYSIS: WHY? What possible explanation can the Turkish armed forces have for opening fire onto another country? There is no claim by Turkey that anyone fired upon them. So on what basis has Turkey fired upon places inside Syria? Few - actually none - in the mass media bother to pose this question to Turkey. It is time the question be posed!

02:48 AM Turkish Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz denied a report that some Turkish soldiers had entered Syria at the weekend and said Ankara was not considering sending troops into its neighbor, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported on Monday.
Turkey denies soldiers entered Syria, says has no such plans
ANALYSIS: What planet is this "Defense Minister" on? For the last five days, almost all the rhetoric coming out of Ankara and Riyadh has been about ground troops being sent into Syria by several Arab countries "to fight ISIS." Why, now, is this Defense Minister claiming the exact opposite? Does the left hand not know what the right hand is doing -- or is Turkey so fouled-up, their own government doesn't know its own intentions?

03:40 AM A ground to ground missile has struck Azaz
Report now coming in that Azaz Maternity/Children's Hospital was bombed; allegedly by aircraft.
Militant Says #zaz Hospital was bombed by #RuAF ---- and injured militants inside!
Separate, conflicting report claims "Russian ground-to-ground missile struck hospital

03:43 AM Claims by Turkish Defense Minister (at 02:48 above) that no Turkish troops entered Syria are rebutted by eyewitnesses who saw 100 - 120 soldiers and Mercenaries, dressed in Turkish Army Uniforms, enter Syria in multiple pick-up trucks with mounted machine guns.

03:46 AM Lots of radio overlap on 8.992Mhz, the U.S. Military "SKYKING" System, which transmits "Emergency Action Messages (EAM)" to US military Units Worldwide. These EAM's are the highest priority messages in the entire US Military command structure and require immediate attention and immediate action. While the messages themselves are encoded with unbreakable, single-use codes, the vast number of these transmissions indicate the US military is on the move for something important. Repeatedly broadcast "this is not a drill."

04:06 AM Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders) "An MSF-supported structure in Marat Al Numan Idlib was destroyed this morning in airstrikes."

04:07 AM Turkish Stocks Fall Most in World Amid Rising Syrian Violence: Borsa Istanbul 100 Index -1.9%, Lira drops 0.4% vs US Dollar

04:08 AM YPG/SDF [Kurds] took control of Kafr Kashir near Azaz as a result of Free Syrian Army (FSA) militants defection.

04:17 AM Encirclement of Azaz by YPG/SDF continues as Kafr Khashir a village south of Azaz is now under their control.

04:18 AM As of today, no Saudi jet's have arrived in Turkey. "Will arrive soon . . ." "decision has been taken . . ."
ANALYSIS: Starting to sound like one big dis-information campaign by the Saudi government! First they say "we will" then they say "we won't" while at other times they say "they're there" and then they claim "they're not..." Looks like Saudi Arabia is backing down.

04:19 AM TURKEY SHELLS AFRIN AND AZAZ IN NORTH SYRIA: SYRIAN OBSERVATORY

04:36 AM Photo of Tochka missile fired at Azaz as reported above at 03:40 AM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CbPkGYyXIAAZcUW.jpg:large
Accusations are already being made blaming Russia for this missile. The trouble is, there is a lengthy list of other operators of such gear"
Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Iran, Kazakhstan, Libya, North Korea, Russia, Slovakia, Ukraine, Syria, Yemen...
what's to say it's not ISIS, or even those 100 pick ups aren't involved ?

04:45 AM Chechen leader warns of conflicts in case other states start military operations in Syria
"The US-led coalition is trying to hamper the full crackdown on the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group (outlawed in Russia) and the restoration of peace in the Middle East region, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov said on Monday.
"The goals and tasks of these coalitions lie on the surface: this is to try to hamper the absolute defeat of the Iblis State [State of Satan, a term Kadyrov uses to describe the IS] and the restoration of peace in the region," Kadyrov wrote on his Instagram page.
"Some countries have announced plans to deploy forces [to Syria] with the simultaneous launch of airstrikes," the head of Russia’s North Caucasus republic of Chechnya has said.
Syria says that the Turkish artillery is shelling local settlements, while Saudi Arabia is preparing for the major military exercises in its history involving the Air Force and ground forces of more than 20 Arab countries, Kadyrov said.
Some reports claim that the equipment and personnel are already being sent to a military base in Saudi Arabia, he wrote.
The Chechen leader has not ruled out that this is preparation for active combat actions in Syria, warning that "with the use of the Air Force and units of several states on the military foothold, it is highly likely that accidents could occur that may provoke major conflicts and even armed encounters."
Kadyrov also voiced concerns that "instead of a real fight against international terrorism, the members of the so-called coalition will start sorting out their relationship."

"The authors of wars and state coups in the Middle East have no plans to fully eliminate the IS and strengthen the power of Bashar Assad. But they will have to put up with the fact that the rules of the game are already dictated not in the West or in the United States," Kadyrov stressed.
Kadyrov also voiced concerns that "instead of a real fight against international terrorism, the members of the so-called coalition will start sorting out their relationship."
"The authors of wars and state coups in the Middle East have no plans to fully eliminate the IS and strengthen the power of Bashar Assad. But they will have to put up with the fact that the rules of the game are already dictated -- not in the West or in the United States," Kadyrov stressed.

04:46 AM Ex Turkey lawmaker @EdibogM claims a Kuwait military cargo plane landed in Hatay airport, carrying arms for rebels (Openly admits Turkey and now, Kuwait, are arming rebels inside Syria to overthrow its government!)

04:51 AM Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and allies already advanced to Al Tabqah , captured several locations on their way.

04:52 AM YPG/SDF only 2 km away from Jihadist/Rebel stronghold of Azaz

mick silver

16th February 2016, 09:17 AM

04:58 AM New shelling/bombing by Turkey this morning on Efrin villages. NATO is silent while their member (Turkey) genocides Kurds everywhere.

04:59 AM RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SAYS RUSSIA TO CONTINUE AIR STRIKES NEAR SYRIA'S ALEPPO EVEN IF CEASEFIRE AGREEEMENT IS REACHED - INTERFAX

05:02 AM Turkish PM Davutoglu speaks en route to Ukraine, says "Turkey will not allow Azaz fall"
ANALYSIS: Azaz is inside Syria, not Turkey. Why is the Prime Minister of Turkey talking about Turkey "not allowing" the "fall" of a city outside his own country? When did Azaz become part of Turkey that he can make decisions about what to "allow?"
And why did Davutoglu use the word "fall?" If Azaz is a Jihadist/Rebel stronghold, and the Syrian Arab Army is fighting them, wouldn't the proper word to use about Azaz be "liberated?" That's what Turkey claims to want . . . the destruction of ISIS Jihadi terrorists, right? That's what Turkey tells everyone; they want to destroy ISIS terrorists. So why is Davutoglu worried that the Jihadi terrorists in Azaz might "fall?" Perhaps because he and the Turkey government are, in fact, SUPPORTING ISIS and the Jihadi Terrorists?!?!?!
(Interesting how the truth shows itself)

05:02 AM Saudi Arabia says North Thunder drills started this early morning.

05:04 AM Turkish PM Davutoglu says if #YPG does not withdraw from Menagh base, it will be rendered unusable
ANALYSIS: According to Wikipedia, "Menagh Air Base (or Minnigh airport, Minakh Air Base) (Arabic: قاعدة مطار منغ‎) is a Syrian Air Force installation located 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) south of Azaz, Aleppo Governorate, Syria near the village of Manaq.
The air base became a major target of the armed opposition in the Syrian Civil War's Battle of Aleppo. The air base was under siege by opposition forces from August 2012 until it fell to the militants of al-Nusra Front on 6 August 2013. However, on February 10, 2016, the YPG and its non-Kurdish allies from nearby Afrin captured the airbase, aided by Russian airstrikes and indirect cooperation from government forces, dealing a big blow to non-ISIS Islamist and jihadist forces in the province."
So as discussed in our earlier analysis at 05:02 AM above, the Turkish Minister has now told people in another country, Syria, that they must leave a Syrian air base (in their own country of Syria) or the base "will be rendered unusable."
When did this portion of the country of Syria become an area that the Turkish Government can give orders about? The base is in Syria, not Turkey.
Moreover, this is yet ANOTHER example of the Turkish government siding with widely-acknowledged Jihadists! Wilkpedia says the air base was captured in 2013 by Jihadists from the Al Nusra Front which took control of it. Last week, that part of Syria was liberated from Jihadist control by the Kurds from YPG and now a Turkish Prime Minister Davutoglu is telling the liberators they have to get out -- or be attacked!
Once again, Turkey is overtly siding with Jihadist Terrorists, to the detriment and violent destruction of another country. Turkey and its government are clearly, openly and defiantly, committing state sponsorship of terrorism. This time, the Prime Minister also made a terroristic threat: to attack a base inside Syria. These are crimes. Crimes against humanity and crimes against the laws of nations. When will a legitimate government step up and start arresting these criminals?

05:05 AM Two police officers killed in Dagestan car blast thought to be act of suicide bomber . . . . . ISIS has claimed responsibility for car bombing in #Dagestan, #Russia. - @CTstudies
ANALYSIS: This means the Saudis have give green lights for attacks in Russia/Chechnya to their Sunni Terrorist friends over there. Remember the warning from Saudis to Russia prior to Sochi Winter Games in 2014? Let us refresh your memory:

A diplomatic report about the “stormy meeting” in July between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi intelligence chief Prince Bandar bin Sultan (http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/politics/2012/07/bandar-bin-sultanhead-of-saudi-i.html). During the meeting Prince Bandar bin Sultan told President Putin:
"As an example, I can give you a guarantee to protect the Winter Olympics in the city of Sochi on the Black Sea next year. The Chechen groups that threaten the security of the games are controlled by us, and they will not move in the Syrian territory’s direction without coordinating with us. These groups do not scare us. We use them in the face of the Syrian regime but they will have no role or influence in Syria’s political future.”

Read more: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/politics/2013/08/saudi-russia-putin-bandar-meeting-syria-egypt.html#ixzz40JHRHvDQ (http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/politics/2013/08/saudi-russia-putin-bandar-meeting-syria-egypt.html#ixzz40JHRHvDQ)
Russia is assisting Syria and the Saudis don't like that; they want President Bashar Assad gone. To retaliate against Russia, Saudi Arabia is unleashing terrorist attacks INSIDE RUSSIA, through groups it admits it controls! Is this not a casus belli (cause for war?) Why should Russia NOT wage war against Saudi Arabia for what has just taken place?

05:06 AM Turkish PM: YPG is Russia's instrument in Syria, international community should read situation correctly

ANALYSIS: So for Prime Minister Davutoglu it's apparently OK that Azaz and the Menagh Air Base in Syria be controlled either by FSA or ISIS, but not by the Kurds (YPG)?? It's starting to appear that the Prime Minister of Turkey is mentally ill. What other explanation can account for a person to embrace violent jihadi terrorists who slaughter innocent people? It appears that Turkish Prime Minister Davutaglo is a danger to himself and to others. Someone please commit this guy to a nut-house!

05:19 Russian foreign ministry says Russia to continue air strikes near Syria’s Aleppo even if ceasefire agreement is reached.
ANALYSIS: What is taking place here ought to be quite obvious; the rebels and Jihadists are LOSING and the countries who support the rebels and Jihadists are starting to cry for a cease fire. Russia told them to "hit-the-road."

05:25 AM Russia says seriously concerned about "Turkey 's aggressive actions against Syria "
ANALYSIS: The hammer is about to fall!
This is Russian chess at its best. Most of us who have been paying attention to the events unfolding know these Turkish and Saudi numb-nuts are just US and western proxies that are going to get hung out to dry; probably a sacrifice in a much larger game. But Turkey and Saudi Arabia think they are the players.
A lot of us here in the US are laughing-out-loud (LOL). We watch as the Turks and Saudis push their pawns forward, moves they cannot take back.
In the meantime, Russia sits quietly, moving a minor piece backwards and forwards, backwards and forwards, UNTIL.........Splat! Checkmate is forced in a certain number of moves.
Putin is patient and smart. You think he has forgiven or forgotten the jet being blown up by Turkey? Think again. He is going to (metaphorically) roast Erogdan's balls over a campfire made of "Sheik kebabs."

05:29 AM TURKEY Foreign Minister, BILGIC: "TURKEY HIT POSITIONS IN SYRIA TODAY"
ANALYSIS: Another moron from the Turkish government publicly admitting they attacked another country without cause. Are all Turks this stupid? Did they ever hear of war crimes trials?

05:38 AM Russia says civilian injuries registered after Turkish shelling of Syria

05:40 AM Turkey confirms they will not allow #YPG to cross to the west of the #Euphrates River northern #Syria.

05:44 AM SAUDI JETS WILL ARRIVE IN TURKEY IN COMING DAYS: BILGIC

- Not there yet!?

05:52 AM BREAKING Russia accuses Turkey of using its territory to facilitate terrorist war on Syria.
-Uh Oh!

05:52 AM Turkish Foreign Ministry says Turkish security post on Syrian border attacked, retaliation shots fired - @DailyStarLeb
-this is starting to sound like Poland and Germany in WW 2

05:59 AM Russia says Turkey’s supporting intl terrorism
-- You see where this is going, right?

06:07 AM Russians pound ISIS in Raqqa as Syrian government forces advance east

06:28 AM Turkey shelled Kurdish fighters in northern Syria for the third day but failed to stop their advance: SOHR

06:34 AM Turkey defends Syria’s Islamists by combating Kurds
. . . Speaking to ARA News, Kurdish politician and the Joint President of the Syrian Democratic Council, Ilham Ahmed, said: “The Turkish government has its own agenda in Syria, which basically clashes with the Kurdish war on terrorism.”

“Turkey was surprised with the U.S. support to the Kurdish forces in Syria. The government of Recep Tayyip Erdogan considers the Kurdish fighters in Syria as terrorists, while it sees in al-Qaeda and ISIS as allies,” she said.

06:41 AM Sniper and mortar fire by YPG/SDF from Ayn Daqnah to Kaljibrin, cutting backroad between Tal Rifat/Marea and Azaz. If YPG/SDF manage to cut that backroad, it will be very difficult for opposition forces to move from Tall-Rifaat/ Mare to Azaz/ Turkey border

06:54 AM AFP news agency @AFP BREAKING: Turkey PM accuses Russia of acting as 'terrorist organisation'
-- This from a man who openly admits he and his government are supporting ISIS and other Jihadists! Is this guy delusional or does he just "say anything?"

07:08 AM 2-3 days and Kurds will liberate Azaz. Turkey said it is a red line. We could expect some escalation in coming days.Turkey can't stop Kurds with artillery so they will have to invade with ground forces to do it.

07:14 AM RuAF carry out airstrikes on Khan Al-Assal & other areas held by #JN west of Aleppo

07:24 AM AhrarSham & Jihadist friends claim to have captured Al-Miyasat SW of Sheikh Najjar after clashes with #Syrian Arab Army near Aleppo

07:25 AM At this point SuperStation95 contacted one of our many military sources in the Pentagon, who must remain anonymous for obvious reasons, and asked him for an appraisal of the situation based on recent events. His reply:
"I honestly think we are drifting into a world war. Assad won't quit and Russia and Iran have got his back. America and Britain want Assad gone. The Saudis want Assad gone. The Turks want the Kurds gone. Territory in Syria is up for grabs, but Russia WILL defend its strategic military interests there with full force. It's just one huge clusterfuck."The irony that EU or NATO think they can control Turkey.. Turkey is an out of control dangerous dog.

07:27 AM Clashes continue for the 2nd day in west Tell Rifaat between SDF vs AhrarSham & friends

From the United Nations:
Syria's Foreign Ministry wrote letters to the UN Secretary General and the Secretary of the UN Security Council about Turkey's aggressive intentions against Syria.

"On February 13, via a checkpoint at Bab Al-Salam on the Turkish-Syrian border, 12 pickup vehicles equipped with 14.5-mm caliber machine guns entered the country. In the vehicles, there were approximately 100 militants. Presumably, most of them are Turkish soldiers and mercenaries," the official notice to the United Nations Organizations said.

According to the Syrian Foreign Affairs Ministry, the supplies of arms and ammunitions via the checkpoint at Bab al-Salam still continue.

In another letter to the UN, the Syrian Foreign Ministry informs of the shelling that lasts for two consecutive days.

"In the afternoon of February 13, 2016, heavy Turkish artillery (http://www.pravdareport.com/world/asia/12-02-2016/133320-turkey_saudi_arabia_russia_syria-0/) struck places of residence of the Syrian Kurds, as well as positions of the Syrian army and settlements of Maranaz, Al-Malkiya, Ming, Ain Dakna, Bazi and Bug, - the letter says - These actions were a response to the offensive of the Syrian army in the north of Aleppo Province; an attempt to raise the morale of the terrorist groups."

On February 14, Turkey continued shelling the Syrian territory. According to Turkish officials, the target was the positions of the Kurdish militias in Syria (http://www.pravdareport.com/video/05-02-2016/133265-turkey-0/). Ankara stated that the Kurdish groups were closely associated with the Kurdistan Workers Party that is outlawed in Turkey and other countries.The Syrian Foreign Ministry notes that Ankara continues the financial support to terrorist groups, such as Jabhat en-Nusra, Jabha Al-Shamiya, Ahrar al-Sham and other Al-Qaeda-associated groups.

"The Syrian government would like to draw attention of the international community to irresponsible actions of the Turkish regime that have led to the failure of the Geneva talks and attempts not to resume them," the statement says.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry also "strongly condemns the Turkish crimes against the Syrian people and the territorial integrity of the country, gross violations of the sovereignty of the country and the principles of the UN Charter, international law and all UN Security Council anti-terrorism resolutions." Damascus confirms "its legitimate right to respond to Turkey's reiterating acts of aggression and seek compensation for damages."

Damascus calls on the UN Security Council to bind terrorist-supporting regimes, including the Turkish one, to execute anti-terrorist resolutions, to terminate relations with Daesh, (the Arabic name for the Islamic State terrorist organization), Jabhat en-Nusra and other terrorist organizations associated with Al-Qaeda. According to the Syrian administration, such regimes should be brought to account for their relations with terrorists.

On Feb. 13, US Vice President Joe Biden, in a telephone conversation with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, urged Turkey to stop the shelling of the Syrian territory. Meanwhile, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Yalcin Akdogan said on February 14 in an interview with Kanal7 TV channel that Turkey would no longer be in a defensive position. "If we do not do what we need to do, in the future Ankara will not have any influence on its neighbors, although what is happening in Syria affects Turkey directly," he said.

In an interview with EuroNews, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev warned the West against a ground operation in Syria as it may trigger a long-standing war (http://www.pravdareport.com/news/world/27-11-2015/132726-turkey_erdogan_russia_war-0/).

07:38 AM Kafr Naya was handed over by Assad forces to their allies, SDF/YPG

07:41 AM Al-Monitor @AlMonit -- Syrian rebels are losing ground in Aleppo ahead of GenevaIII peace talks slated to resume Feb. 25

07:48 AM Both Putin & Assad aim for #YPG #SDF to take over Azaz Corridor. #RuAF hit Jihadis truck column to Azaz North of Aleppo

07:49 AM YPG and SDF are advancing to Kal Jibrin village This means the road between Azaz and Aleppo has been cut and jihadist "rebels" are stuck between YPG forces and the SAA without a supply route.

07:50 AM Turkish artillery continue shelling Kurdish militia positions in the vicinity of #azaz #Aleppo

07:53 Jihadist terrorists are fleeing from #Tall_Rifat.

08:01 AM EU calls on Turkey to halt military action in Syria

08:14 AM Turkish trucks loaded with weapons were hit by Russian warplanes near Azaz, Syria

08:16 AM After fall of Ayn Daqnah #Kaljibrin remains only logistical link betwwen Marea/Rifaat and Azaz. If it falls, both town falla with it. #Syria

08:20 AM #Azerbaijan’s integrity threatened by #Armenia with #Russia’s support, - #Davutoglu [link to 112.international (http://www.godlikeproductions.com/external?http%3A%2F%2F112.international%2Fpolitics %2Fazerbaijans-integrity-threatened-by-armenia-with-russias-support-davutoglu-2624.html)]

Turks trying to open second front against Russia via their Azeri minions? Turkey doesn't seem to realize it will open a can of snakes with this. Armenians have a lot of unfinished business with the Turks. The hatred runs deep. Turkey is getting itself into a very very dangerous spot right now.

08:21 AM ISIS Trophy Emir, Ramazan al-Jabarra,, Killed in Russian Airstrike in Deir Ezzur

08:23 AM Some commentary from BBC:

Azaz and Tal Rifaat are on a corridor stretching from the Turkish border to the city of Aleppo.

Turkey says the Kurds have to retreat. Otherwise, its shelling of their positions will continue.

A Kurdish capture of Azaz and Tal Rifat - and the fall of the supply corridor - could change things dramatically. Turkey could indeed become directly involved.

08:50 AM Moscow accuses Turkey of blocking Syria crisis settlement — diplomat

09:00 SuperStation 95 reached out to contacts in the EU in Brussels. Here's what we were told:
First, Erdogan's regime is not popular in Brussels nor in other European capitals. Former CIA guy, Jim Willie said that the three billion Euros offered to Erdogan in late November "to stop the flow of refugees into other European countries" was, in fact, an attempt to pay off Erdogan to leave office. It is interesting that this money has not been paid to date. It is also interesting that Erdogan's rhetoric has become more Poroshenkoesque (Ukraine) since the EC offer was made. And, by the way, what kind of commander in chief flags their intention to invade their neighbor?

Second, it is interesting that the Turks are not stating a commitment to provide air cover to their threatened ground invasion (any Turkish soldier out there feeling happy about this?) but Turkish planes will be used against Kurds inside Turkey. Instead, the Saudis alone have said they will provide air assets for invasion. Does anyone seriously believe that Saudi Arabian F15s are a match for the Russian Air Force?

The House of Saud is also pretty unpopular among many Saudis, what with their welfare cutbacks, huge budget and current account deficits and, so far, unsuccessful war against Yemen (not to mention their sponsorship of Takfiri terrorists).
One could be forgiven for thinking that Salman and Erdogan are the only friends each other has in the world. The Laurel and Hardy psychopath show looks like desperation stakes for the two of them at the moment. And in a way, the pair's political fortunes are tied.
If anything should happen to the Saudi economy like, for example, the Riyal getting devalued, this will affect Turkey's economy as well. Inflation/cost of living pressures, which are already biting in both countries, could get markedly worse, and this won't make the punters in either country any happier...

Our source went on to say "I can't help wondering if Putin can hold the reins on his horses in the face of provocations for just another week or so, Erdogan could go, and the House of Saud could become destabilized.

I mean, how many Saudi F15s would need to fall out of the sky for capital flight from SA to accelerate past the point of no economic return?"

Interestingly, Capital Flight From Saudi Arabia and Turkey was the subject of a flash message on the Internal SWIFT Bank Communications network today. While we cannot obtain a copy of the message or the sender, we were told it urgently advised Banks and Investors to get their money OUT of Turkey and Saudi Arabia because was with Russia was "imminent." The message allegedly went on to report that the Turks nor and Saudis were not expected to remain in power under such circumstances! (STORY HERE (https://www.superstation95.com/index.php/money/897))

The items above constitute only nine hours of what went on in Syria today. Later in the day, the Syrian Arab Army and its allies had a significant number of victories. Rebels are defecting to the other side in droves because rebel/Jihadist supply lines are cut.

Egypt publicly declared it would not endorse any ground operations into Syria and Iraq pulled out of the Saudi Exercise and warned the Saudis about entering into Iraq without permission.

The Turks and Saudis are getting desperate; their proxy rebels and Jihadists are losing and if Raqqa is liberated, then four years worth of Sunni Muslim effoprts to topple Bashar Assad will fail. As such, if there is going to be a ground invasion, it will HAVE to take place very soon. And if it does, it will be a war like that region has never seen. That's why the SKYKING SYSTEM of the US Military is blasting our Emergency Action Messages hot and heavy. The brainchilds in our State Department and the Obama Administration never figured this would turn out like it is and now they have to scramble with hope of stopping what they created.

Now, ask yourselves: Why hasn't YOUR mass-media, told you any of this? Because they want you to be taken totally by surprise when World War 3 breaks out so you're scared and do what they tell you, rather than step up and put a stop to the forces in the west who created this mess.

Check back later today for the remaining report from Feb. 15 and reports of activities TODAY, Feb 16.

mick silver

16th February 2016, 09:32 AM

300 Erdogan Terrorists Slaughtered by Russia, a Slow Beginning: VT
By GPD (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/admin/) on February 16, 2016 ...what goes around comes around...or..."Stupid is as stupid does" Forrest Gump
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/lido_918.jpgstock photo

Editor’s note: Dozens of shiny new Toyota trucks lie burned to a crisp, their occupants and their Saudi and Qatari bought weapons along with their Raytheon missiles, all for naught. Sorry about that, not so much.
Russia promises to eradicate any Turkish or Saudi forces that enter Syria
TEHRAN (FNA)- A Tal Rifat-bound column of fresh militants recruited and trained in Turkey was targeted by the Syrian and Russian warplanes on a road near the newly-liberated city in the Northern part of Aleppo on Tuesday, sources said, adding that 300 terrorists were killed in the air raid.
The Russian and Syrian fighter jets, in a joint operation, tracked and targeted an over 300-member convoy of fresh militants, who had earlier crossed the Syria-Turkey border to join the terrorist groups operating in Tal Rifat and its surroundings.
The militants column was on a road connecting Azaz and Tal Rifat.

Turkey Chicken’s OutFrom CNN:

http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/lido_920.jpgCNN)Turkey’s defense minister said his country has no intention of sending ground troops into Syria amid international concern over Ankara’s shelling of armed Kurdish groups in the war-torn country.

Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz made the comments Sunday in Turkey’s semiofficial Anadolu news agency.

In addition to the killing and wounding of almost the entire members of the column, the terrorists’ vehicles and weapons were also destroyed in the air raid.
Reports said earlier today that the Turkish Army’s artillery units have been pounding the strategic city of Tel Rifat North of Syria’s Aleppo province that was taken back by the Kurdish fighters from the terrorists last night.
Positions of the Kurdish “People’s Protection Units” (YPG) and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Tal Rifat have been under the massive shelling of the Turkish artillery since early hours of this morning.
The Kurdish fighters that are backed up by the Russian air force have been making rapid advances in the Northern parts of Aleppo and the Turkish artillery shelling seems to be aimed at stopping their advances against the militant groups in the region that is close to the border with Turkey.
On Monday night, the YPG, who have recently bonded with the government, prevailed over the terrorists in the highly strategic city of Tal Rifat in Northern Aleppo and captured the city.
The YPG, who enjoyed the Russian air backup, prevailed the terrorists’ positions from the Western direction and shook hand with other Kurdish troops who entered the town from the North.
The YPG Kurds have recently bonded with the Damascus government. The Syrian army sent several arms cargoes to the YPG troops in the Northeastern province of Hasaka and trained the first group of Kurdish volunteer forces in the provincial capital city of Hasaka last week.
FNA battlefield dispatches said Monday night that heavy clashes are underway on the Eastern outskirts of the city as Ahrar al-Sham terrorists and groups of Al-Nusra Front – that have just arrived in Northern Aleppo via the Turkish territories – are retreating from their positions.
The Kurdish fighters, backed up by the Russian fighter jets, Syrian army artillery units and popular forces launched the assault on the terrorists in Tal Rifat in two fronts.
The first units of the YPG engaged in clashes with the terrorists from the Western direction of the strategic town North of Aleppo province, while other units started an attack from the Northern flank.
The first group arrived at the Western gates of the town on Sunday, while the second group had to purge several small towns and villages to open up the path to Tal Rifat and, hence, arrived in the Northern parts of the city on Monday.
The second groups of Kurdish fighters approaching the strategic town from the North comprised of YPG and SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces) units.
The SDF that is comprised of mainly Kurdish fighters as well as a few hundred Syrian Arab dissident forces have received trainings from the US and have been provided with scanty US-coalition air support in their battles in Raqqa province in Northeastern Syria; but in Northern and Northwestern battlefronts, they have been operating alongside the YPG and received the Russian air backup in their Aleppo wars that started with the conquest of Tishrin Dam on the Euphrates early in February.
Assisted by the Syrian army – that has along with popular forces and Hezbollah conquered almost all militant-held regions in Eastern, Southern, Western and Northwestern Aleppo province – and Russian air support, the Kurdish forces fighting against the terrorists in North-Northeast Aleppo province have been making striking advances against the Al-Nusra, Ahrar al-Sham and ISIL terrorists in February.
“The militant groups have been surprised by the rapid offensive of the Kurdish fighters and have been pinned down behind their defense lines in Tal Rifat,” sources from the Western flank told FNA on Sunday.
“The Russian warplanes carried out several combat sorties over the militants’ position in the around the town and destroyed their defense lines,” they added.
Later on Sunday, the Kurdish fighters, backed by Russian fighter jets, engaged in intense clashes with the terrorist groups at the Western entrance of the strategic town and captured several building blocks.
To hinder to slow down the rapid advances of the Northern units, Turkey relocated hundreds of terrorists from Idlib province to Aleppo via its soil in the weekend.
“At least 400 militants were transferred to Northern Aleppo to help the terrorists who are losing the ground to the Kurdish fighters who are backed by Russian air force,” Arab media outlets disclosed on Sunday.
In addition, the Turkish army started days of nonstop pounding of the Kurdish fighters in Northern Aleppo on Friday to pin them down specially in the North and prevent them from shaking hands with other Kurdish troops fighting in the Northern Aleppo town.
The Turkish army shelling has targeted both Syrian army positions in Northern Lattakia and Kurdish fronts in Northern Aleppo and continued for four days now.
Several villages in vast areas of Afrin in Northwestern Syria came under artillery shelling by the Turkish army and terrorist groups all throughout Sunday.
The Turkish army, Al-Nusra Front and Ahrar al-Sham pounded the villages of Marimin and Anab in Afrin region on Sunday. Residents of Marimin and Anab said that their villages were hit with over numerous rockets and 30 artillery shells today.
Report said on Saturday that Turkey’s army shelled Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) positions near the city of Azaz in Northwestern Syria. Turkish forces started shelling an airbase and a village, recently captured by Kurds, in Aleppo province in Syria.
A Kurdish official confirmed that the shelling targeted the Minaq air base located South of Azaz in Aleppo province.
“Turkish forces started shelling the YPG positions on the territory of the Minaq airbase,” a YPG spokesperson told the Arabic-language TV channel, Al-Mayadeen on Saturday.
Turkey vowed on Sunday that it would not allow the pro-government forces in Syria to capture the militant-held city of Azaz close to its border.
On Monday, the Kurdish “People’s Protection Units” (YPG), enjoying Russian air backup, continued to advance against the militant groups in the Northern part of Aleppo province and stormed the militant groups’ defense lines near the small town of Kaljabrein in the surroundings of Tal Rifat, killing, at least, 40 terrorists.
The Russian fighter jets have played significant role in the recent victories of the Kurdish fighters in the province.
The Kurdish fighters seized control over Kaljabrein-Tal Rifat road and killed one of the commanders of Jeish al-Fatah, nom de guerre Ismayeel Naddaf.
Later on Monday, a main line of supply of the terrorist groups to Tal Rifat was cut by the heavy mortar shelling of the YPG forces.

“The YPG forces, deployed on the road of Ein al-Daqnah to Kaljabrein, pounded a road connecting Tal Rifat to the towns of Azaz and Marea in the Northern part of Aleppo province, leaving the militants in Tal Rifat with no way towards its Northern side,” sources said.
Sources also said “both the Kurdish fighters and the terrorists have been targeting each other by their artillery shelling since the early hours of this (Monday) morning”.
A report said earlier on Monday that the Syrian army once again deployed the Russian T-90 tanks against the terrorists in Aleppo Front in Northern Syria.
Ex-Security Chief: Russia to Launch Airstrikes on Turkish, Saudi Troops in Syria
http://media.farsnews.com/media/Uploaded/Files/Images/1394/09/29/13940929000612_PhotoI.jpg

Former Head of Russia’s Federal Security Service Nikolai Kovalyov warned Turkey and Saudi Arabia against sending ground troops to Syria, saying that Russian warplanes are likely to launch airstrikes on their positions if they deploy in the war-torn country.

“The Turkish and Saudi officials are well aware that in case of deployment of their forces in the Syrian territories, the Russian air force will likely bomb them,” Kovalyov, also a member of the State Duma’s security and resistance to corruption committee, was quoted as saying by al-Mayadeen news channel on Tuesday.
“If the Saudi and Turkish ground forces enter Syria, they cannot be distinguished from the terrorists and Russia will act upon the demand of the legal Syrian government,” he added.
His remarks came after Saudi Arabia and Turkey said they plan to send ground forces to Syria.
The idea of Riyadh’s possible participation in ground operations in Syria was first raised on February 4 by Ahmed Asiri, a spokesman for the Saudi Defense Ministry.
Turkey and Saudi Arabia are also both part of an effort to create an alleged “Islam Army,” ostensibly aimed at combating terrorism in the region and consisting of 34 Sunni Islam nations.
Almost the entire range of extremist and terrorist groups are supported by Saudi Arabia and Turkey, with their key commanders and leaders being Saudi nationals. ISIL, Al-Nusra and other extremist groups pursue the same line of ideology exercised and promoted by Saudi Arabia, Wahhabism. Hundreds of Saudi clerics are among the ranks of ISIL and Al-Nusra to mentor the militants.
Wahhabism is now the only source of the textbooks taught at schools in the self-declared capital of the ISIL terrorist group, Raqqa, in Northeastern Syria resembling the texts and lessons taught to schoolgoers in Saudi Arabia. The Wahhabi ideology, an extremist version of Sunni Islam that is promoted almost only in Saudi Arabia, sees all other faiths – from other interpretations of Sunni Islam to Shiism, Christianity and Judaism – as blasphemy, meaning that their followers should be decapitated as nonbelievers.
Early in February, the Saudi Defense Ministry said it stood ready to deploy ground troops to Syria to allegedly aid the US-led anti-ISIL, also known as Daesh, coalition.
Riyadh has been a member of the US-led coalition that has been launching airstrikes against Daesh in Syria since September 2014, without the permission of Damascus or the United Nations. In December 2015, Saudi Arabia started its own Muslim 34-nation coalition to allegedly fight Islamic extremism.
Daesh or ISIL/ISIS is a Wahhabi group mentored by Saudi Arabia and has been blacklisted as a terrorist group everywhere in the world, including the United States and Russia, but Saudi Arabia.
Damascus, Tehran and Moscow have issued stern warnings to Riyadh, stressing that the Saudi intruders, who in fact intend to rescue the terrorists that are sustaining heavy defeats these days, will be crushed in Syria.
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem warned that any ground operation in Syria without Damascus’ approval is an “act of aggression”, warning that the Saudi aggressors “would go back home in coffins”.
In Tehran, Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari said Saudi Arabia doesn’t have the guts to send its armed forces to Syria.

“They claim they will send troops (to Syria) but I don’t think they will dare do so. They have a classic army and history tells us such armies stand no chance in fighting irregular resistance forces,” Jafari said.
“This will be like a coup de grâce for them. Apparently, they see no other way but this, and if this is the case, then their fate is sealed,” he added.
Jafari, said this is just cheap talks, but Iran welcomes the Saudi decision if they decide to walk on this path.

Related Posts:

Aleppo Terrorists Lay down Arms, Cooperate with Syria Government, Americans Bomb Aleppo (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/11/aleppo-terrorists-lay-down-arms-cooperate-with-syria-government-russia/)
Russia FM names two Syrian opposition groups Moscow considers terrorists (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2015/12/30/russia-fm-names-two-syrian-opposition-groups-moscow-considers-terrorists/)
Russia Carpet-bombing Turkish Protected Terrorists (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2015/12/12/russia-carpet-bombing-turkish-protected-terrorists/)
Erdogan Sets Up Turkish Terror Cells in Russia (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2015/12/09/erdogan-sets-up-turkish-terror-cells-in-russia/)
Terrorists ‘stick to Turkish border’, Russia to continue targeting them – Kremlin (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2015/11/26/terrorists-stick-to-turkish-border-russia-to-continue-targeting-them-kremlin/)

Joshua01

16th February 2016, 09:49 AM

I can't tell who's playing the terrorists any more. I know the US is sponsoring most of them though (thanks Obama)

Neuro

16th February 2016, 11:00 AM

I can't tell who's playing the terrorists any more. I know the US is sponsoring most of them though (thanks Obama)
I think the US position is shifting. They are telling the Turks, politely, to stop shelling the Syrian Kurds, that are fighting Daesh and other jihadi groups. Turkey is defiant though. This time if Turkey and Saudi would put ground troops into Syria, it would be the line in the sand, they shouldn't have crossed. Turkey will be kicked out of NATO. Saudi oil will be replaced with Iranian and Russian oil. The recent peace deal with Iran is significant, it opens up for new coalitions in the Middle East. Turkey and Saudi Arabia may be thrown under the bus. Saudi regime wouldn't last a year without US support. Turkey would go back to its previous secularist regime, in the ensuing economic depression following its international isolation.

If NATO supports the Turkish Saudi ground invasion of Syria, it would mean 3rd World War, if they wanted that, why make peace with Iran?

mick silver

16th February 2016, 11:18 AM

TPTP are fomenting the Third World War exactly as outlined by Albert Pike in his letter to Mazzini on August 15th 1871. Countries are forming alliances with political Zionism and leaders of the Islamic World, which will instigate what Pike described as the “social cataclysm which in all its horror will show clearly to the nations the effect of absolute atheism, origin of savagery and of the most bloody turmoil.” The desired outcome.This barbarism is already in evidence and with each atrocity, the screw turns. 9/11, 11/3, 7/7 and everything in between, but Iran is supposedly sponsoring an “Army of Martyrs” ready for suicide attacks on America with atomic weapons. Should such an incident occur, Iran will be the next stop in this “global war” as Bush referred to it during his staged TV audience with troops, and this petulant President gets his own way.
Using the beefed-up ‘Operation Northwoods’ blueprint, the “Proactive, Preemptive Operations Group” will ensure it! John Bolton has accused Iran of engaging in a covert nuclear weapons programme for eighteen years “and may be intending to supply them to terrorists.” Iran’s nuclear energy is not illegal, but Secretary of State Rice insists, “This is not an issue of rights but of whether or not the fuel cycle can be trusted in Iran.”
The United States cannot be trusted with it’s nuclear capability either, but there is no-one to prevent them from stockpiling a ‘doomsday’ array, and using them at a whim, which could trigger a chain-reaction, as old grudges are settled across the world. “Bloody turmoil” is an understatement, but the Illuminati have had over a century to draft the battle plans and engineer the course of the conflict, with preemptive strategy.
Rumsfeld orders secret P2OG missions to “stimulate reactions” and both American and British SAS have been caught undercover, planting “suicide bombs” in Iraq. There will be no charges though, because Captain Ken Masters, a senior http://www.illuminati-news.com/graphics/Ahwaz-Oil.jpgofficer of the Special Investigation Branch of the Royal Military Police, who was responsible for investigating complaints about soldiers, dropped dead at his camp in Basra on 15th October 2005.
On the same day, more successful operatives planted two bombs in a busy market at Ahwaz, the capital of the oil-rich province of Khuzestan, situated close to the border with Iraq, to provoke Iranian Arabs. The aggression has also slipped into Syria, through the back door. The criminal Cabal seem to be unstoppable and certainly unaccountable in their ambition to coerce the world into a global confrontation and social cataclysm.http://www.illuminati-news.com/global-war.htm

Joshua01

16th February 2016, 11:20 AM

I think the US position is shifting. They are telling the Turks, politely, to stop shelling the Syrian Kurds, that are fighting Daesh and other jihadi groups. Turkey is defiant though. This time if Turkey and Saudi would put ground troops into Syria, it would be the line in the sand, they shouldn't have crossed. Turkey will be kicked out of NATO. Saudi oil will be replaced with Iranian and Russian oil. The recent peace deal with Iran is significant, it opens up for new coalitions in the Middle East. Turkey and Saudi Arabia may be thrown under the bus. Saudi regime wouldn't last a year without US support. Turkey would go back to its previous secularist regime, in the ensuing economic depression following its international isolation.

If NATO supports the Turkish Saudi ground invasion of Syria, it would mean 3rd World War, if they wanted that, why make peace with Iran?

I would agree with you except having Obama and Kerry pulling the strings on American foreign policy gives me douche chills

Neuro

16th February 2016, 11:31 AM

Neuro

16th February 2016, 11:35 AM

I would agree with you except having Obama and Kerry pulling the strings on American foreign policy gives me douche chills
No doubt they are douche's! But they do what their masters tell them!

vacuum

16th February 2016, 11:40 AM

Does Israel really want tactical nukes going off in their part of the world?

vacuum

16th February 2016, 11:51 AM

Why isn't this on Drudge at all? He's failing us...

Neuro

16th February 2016, 11:57 AM

Does Israel really want tactical nukes going off in their part of the world?
No they would prefer to throw their "allies" Turkey and Saudi under the bus. The Palestinians are mainly Sunni, so they would actually prefer the Sunni coalition to fail long term, so they can finish them off silently...

mick silver

16th February 2016, 12:00 PM

They would have three world wars and many smaller revolutionary wars to force the world into world government if they ever were to obtain peace. And the peace they are talking about is a world without borders, a One World Government, meaning peace for THEM to rule us in slavery.http://www.illuminati-news.com/new-world-order-conspiracy.htm

Glass

16th February 2016, 04:34 PM

there is serious contention that nukes have been used multiple times in the region already. 3 or 4 in Libya, 1 in Yemen, 1 or 2 in Syria and of course there was Bagdhad airport in Iraq war 2.0. Of those, 4,5 or 6 by Israel, 1 by US and 1 by Saudis

mick silver

16th February 2016, 07:24 PM

Special Show: "Hal Turner" About World War 3 Perhaps DAYS Away! Post by U.S.Reporter (https://www.superstation95.com/index.php/world/author/966-usreporter) - Feb 16, 2016

https://cdn.superstation95.com/media/k2/items/cache/51b8ab8a165aa1fb5a57daf7b2513248_XL.jpg

During a special, one-hour broadcast on Tuesday, 16 February 2016, radio host Hal Turner reported to the world about the latest severe troubles in Syria, and the NUCLEAR THREAT which was made today! ! ! The US and the appear to be heading into world war 3.
This is a SPECIAL 1-Hour edition of the show. Mr. Turner has a TERRIBLE SORE THROAT and his voice is very raspy. But he got through the entire hour anyway without stopping to take ANY callers! There is THAT MUCH information!
The program aired on International Shortwave, WBCQ on 7490 AM and o SuperStation95 at 95.1-FM in New York City. Folks also tuned-in right here on the Internet by clicking the LISTEN LIVE link at the top banner of this page.

If you missed the show, you can listen to an archive right now - FREE - by clicking Here (http://archives.superstation95.com/halturnershow/HTS-02-16-2016.mp3)

No other media outlet is providing this (almost terrifying) information, or reporting how close we are actually coming to real, nuclear war. If you appreciate the information, please make a donation using the donation link below!

Glass

16th February 2016, 07:35 PM

I've seen this a couple of times in the past few days. First one I could link from YT.

There was something about this several months ago now. A Russian anti missile system for tanks and APC's etc. Or it could just be a flakey rocket.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXJv2JNB3vo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXJv2JNB3vo
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXJv2JNB3vo)
The israelis have a system called "trophy". The Russian one is called Arena? Arena is an active system that deploys explosives to destroy the incoming threat, not electronic jamming, however, Arena looks like it's pre 2000 tech. Maybe something new out now.

Horn

16th February 2016, 07:38 PM

Obvious Syria is a clearinghouse for global interest's new infrastructure loans,

central banking and finance ministers are waiting in its wings.

mick silver

16th February 2016, 07:45 PM

FLASH TRAFFIC
ALERT ALERT ALERT 1:24 PM CIA official: Saudi Arabia has several nuclear bombs already from #Pakistan"
-- There is no way on God's Earth that a former CIA official would DARE go onto FOX NEWS CHANNEL and reveal what has just been revealed, unless the US Government WANTED the information revealed. This is now a direct nuclear threat over the possibility Russia may have to use Tactical nukes to avoid being over-run in SYria by a 350,000 man invasion force from Saudi Arabia! Ladies and Gentlemen, what we have just witnesses is an ACTUAL nuclear threat by the west against Russia ! ! ! ! ! !
https://www.superstation95.com/index.php/world/902

mick silver

16th February 2016, 07:48 PM

4:02 PM URGENT: DIRECT ENGAGEMENT TAKING PLACE NOW BETWEEN REGULAR TURKISH ARMY AND SYRIAN KURDS IN THE BORDER TOWNS OF QAMSHILI, SYRIA AND NUSAYBIN, TURKEY. Multiple large explosions, intense gunfire.
Qamishli is officially a Syrian town, its right on the border, but technically if turks have entered Qashmili they've entered Syria....

4:42 PM Confirmed, huge fires, multiple explosions, mayhem and chaos on Syria-Turkey border, shots and huge explosions, huge!

Neuro

16th February 2016, 07:52 PM

mick silver

17th February 2016, 07:49 AM

A spreading world warI’m going to make a prediction which you can verify as accurate or, hopefully, not. In about two months I estimate, around late March or April it will be clear. The US Machiavellians have lured not only Turkey’s Erdogan and Saudi Arabia’s Prince Salman, but now Moscow into their trap in the Middle East. The initial losers in this unfolding deadly game will be Saudi, Turkey, Syria, Iraq and likely Russia. The ultimate losers, eventually, will also be the American Patriarchs or oligarchs behind these incessant wars of destruction, but not immediately, short of a miracle.Look carefully at the little-reported statements in recent days of two key Washington war actors–Joe Biden and John Kerry. On January 24, Vice President Joe Biden, the one who orchestrated the US coup d’ etat in Kiev in February 2014, met with Turkish President and would-be Sultan of a neo-Ottoman imperium, Recep Erdogan. Biden told Erdogan and Prime Minister Davotoglu that Washington wanted Turkey and Iraq to “coordinate” on an emerging US military plan to take back the Iraqi city of Mosul from DAESH or the so-called Islamic State. An Obama Administration official described the Mosul attack as in “hard-core planning” stages, though not imminent.The unnamed US “senior” official, most likely Biden, stated that the US is also selecting several hundred Sunni Arabs in Syria, as well as some Turks, who Turkey says its government has identified as “potential fighters,” to help the US close the roughly 60 miles of border with Syria that remains under Islamic State control. The source added that Washington is hoping to finalize a package in coming weeks of new technological assistance for Turkey to aid in securing that stretch of border.Biden also strongly backed Turkey’s fight against the Turkish Kurdish PKK and said that the US would strengthen its military campaign against ISIS if there is no agreement on a political solution in Syria. Joe Biden well knows that Erdogan and Turkish MIT intelligence head, Hakan Fidan fully back DAESH and fully are out to create ethnic cleansing against the Kurds in Turkey, and in Syria. He knows because the CIA worked with Fidan, a US educated Turkish military veteran, at secret Turkish bases over the past two years to train DAESH terrorists in the Washington war against Assad.If you are beginning to smell a big skunk here, you have a healthy sense of smell.So now we have Washington and Erdogan bringing undesired US and Turkish troops into Iraq’s Mosul region to prepare a major military operation, with or without the agreement of Iraq’s Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi, who has repeatedly and impotently demanded the Turkish army leave Mosul.
http://journal-neo.org/2016/02/17/washington-s-machiavellian-game-in-syria/

mick silver

17th February 2016, 07:53 AM

the usa controls Iraq don't think for a second we cant setup troops to move into there and then into Syria .................................................. .......... The Pentagon is also quietly putting “boots on the ground” in Iraq. War jargon in Washington has become so dehumanized in the era of drone warfare that we no longer speak of the soldiers, merely their “boots.” They are preparing a major military move in Syria whether through Turkish and Saudi proxies or direct, or both, despite the nice sounding words about humanitarian aid and UN supervised Syrian elections in 18 months. At the same time, US military veterans are preparing the propaganda in the US for a ten-year siege before the US could drive the last DAESH terrorist out of the oil-rich Mosul, the heart of north Iraqi oil production.
http://journal-neo.org/2016/02/17/washington-s-machiavellian-game-in-syria/

mick silver

17th February 2016, 07:55 AM

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

mick silver

17th February 2016, 07:58 AM

Look carefully at the little-reported statements in recent days of two key Washington war actors–Joe Biden and John Kerry. On January 24, Vice President Joe Biden, the one who orchestrated the US coup d’ etat in Kiev in February 2014, met with Turkish President and would-be Sultan of a neo-Ottoman imperium, Recep Erdogan. Biden told Erdogan and Prime Minister Davotoglu that Washington wanted Turkey and Iraq to “coordinate” on an emerging US military plan to take back the Iraqi city of Mosul from DAESH or the so-called Islamic State. An Obama Administration official described the Mosul attack as in “hard-core planning” stages, though not imminent.The unnamed US “senior” official, most likely Biden, stated that the US is also selecting several hundred Sunni Arabs in Syria, as well as some Turks, who Turkey says its government has identified as “potential fighters,” to help the US close the roughly 60 miles of border with Syria that remains under Islamic State control. The source added that Washington is hoping to finalize a package in coming weeks of new technological assistance for Turkey to aid in securing that stretch of border.Biden also strongly backed Turkey’s fight against the Turkish Kurdish PKK and said that the US would strengthen its military campaign against ISIS if there is no agreement on a political solution in Syria. Joe Biden well knows that Erdogan and Turkish MIT intelligence head, Hakan Fidan fully back DAESH and fully are out to create ethnic cleansing against the Kurds in Turkey, and in Syria. He knows because the CIA worked with Fidan, a US educated Turkish military veteran, at secret Turkish bases over the past two years to train DAESH terrorists in the Washington war against Assad.If you are beginning to smell a big skunk here, you have a healthy sense of smell.So now we have Washington and Erdogan bringing undesired US and Turkish troops into Iraq’s Mosul region to prepare a major military operation, with or without the agreement of Iraq’s Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi, who has repeatedly and impotently demanded the Turkish army leave Mosul.
http://journal-neo.org/2016/02/17/washington-s-machiavellian-game-in-syria/

mick silver

17th February 2016, 08:00 AM

Washington’s Machiavellian Game in Syria
http://journal-neo.org/2016/02/17/washington-s-machiavellian-game-in-syria/

One of my often-cited sayings is around 2,500 years old. It’s from the respected Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu in his small masterpiece, The Art of War. For centuries it’s been one of the most influential strategy writings not only in Asia, but also the Western world. It goes as follows: “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”― Sun Tzu, The Art of WarIn geopolitical analysis, when I examine a major political or economic development, it’s very important that I first look into myself, to feel if I’m blurring my analysis because of deep-felt personal wishes for a peaceful, more harmonious world, blurring the reality of a given nation or groups of nations. Similarly, if I take those malevolent patriarchs who dominate American and NATO policies today, I must be certain I know, not merely the surface of what an American President or Secretary of State might say on a given day. It can be a lie, a slick maneuver or it can be even honest. The work of any serious analyst is to sort out which it is, to go deeper, to “mine” the lode in order to see the real strategic implications.Such is the case with finding out what is the real Washington policy—the economic and foreign policy today. For example, what is the real meaning and purpose behind the journey of the 92-year-old Henry Kissinger to Moscow to meet Vladimir Putin and others recently? What’s the real purpose of John Kerry when he appears to follow a policy more friendly towards Russia than, say, his Assistant Secretary Victoria Nuland or Secretary of Defense Ash Carter? Is it the voice of a significant faction within the foreign policy establishment that genuinely seeks a shift in Washington policy with Moscow from confrontation and war towards detente, diplomacy and a policy of peace and economic cooperation? What’s the real intent of the Roman Pope in wanting to come together with the Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, the first such meeting between those two churches–east and west–since the Great Schism of 1054? Is that a positive step towards world peace or is it something ominous?
Washington: confusion or deception?It’s a widespread notion, fostered by US and European mainstream and other media, even by media in Russia and China that Washington is in confused disarray, a Superpower or hegemon which has lost its bearings. Media analysts write of a policy clash or internal factional battle that renders any US action in destroying DAESH or ISIS in Syria and Iraq a ludicrous, bumbling joke.From years of looking at US foreign policy, I’ve learned to bring a certain respect in to my assessment. The respect is not at all admiration but an appreciation that, after all, the world’s most powerful Superpower did not come to that position of power without extraordinary skills, cunning, a remarkable ability to lie convincingly, to deceive, to very precisely manipulate the weaknesses of their opponents.That deception has been the hallmark of American foreign policy for the entire post-1945 period, as towards the Soviet Union of Mikhail Gorbachev in 1989, when Gorbachev trusted his American interlocutors who solemnly promised that the West would never advance NATO to the East. The deception is the hallmark of US economic policies since Bretton Woods in 1944 established the Dollar as supreme, and which destroyed any potential challenge to the domination of the US dollar as reserve currency—the most strategic of the American pillars of power aside from that of the US military.Some years ago I was told by a former West Point officer that the cadets of West Point who go on to become America’s future colonels, generals and military strategists, are steeped in Sun Tzu as well as in Italian Renaissance diplomat Niccolò Machiavelli’s The Prince, which teaches “the employment of cunning and duplicity in statecraft or in general conduct.”In international politics, it’s unwise to believe your enemy is stupid. It can be fatal. Mistakes, of course, they continuously make, only to re-program and correct or push on another front in their obsession with world power and control.More useful is to assume they have a well-thought-through strategy behind a veil of Machiavellian lies and deception, rather than to assume stupidity as our operating premise. So, amid a most incredible array of contradictory indications out of Washington, what’s going on between the actors in the war against Syria and the entire Middle East today, in February 2016?
Using Russia in SyriaIf we look at current US policies in the Middle East, especially in Syria and in Iraq, and assume it is a very well-thought-out strategy to reach a specific, well-defined goal, the situation looks very different.My current conclusion is that under a smokescreen of apparent policy confusion and incompetence on the side of Washington, of the Pentagon, of the State Department and their backers on Wall Street, there is a carefully-planned strategy to ignite a war in the oil-and-gas-rich Middle East that will dramatically alter the political and geopolitical oil map of the world. Yes, another war about oil like so many of the wars of the last century, a Century of War as one of my books calls it.The Washington-Wall Street think tanks behind the coming change are orchestrating the actions of state actors in the Middle East who, blinded by their own greed or desire for empire, Ottoman or Saudi, see not that they are falling into a fatal trap.They apparently haven’t studied Sun Tzu, much less, even a thought of such deep themes as knowing themselves and knowing their enemy. They are mostly driven by burning hate, as with Erdogan and his Turkey today–hate for the Syrians, for the Kurds, for the Europeans, even for the Saudis with whom Erdogan claims to be allied. In Erdogan’s Kasbah, everyone has their daggers ready behind their backs.
Washington sets the trap What can be the true strategy of Washington and their patrons in Wall Street in the present Middle East chaos called the “war to defeat DAESH” or IS?It’s useful to go back to the end of September, 2015 when Russia surprised not only Washington, but the entire world, with the swiftness and effectiveness of its requested military intervention against DAESH and other terror groups destroying Syria.It’s clear from the lack of an effective Washington response, and from subsequent Washington actions, that their policy strategists took time to recalculate their original regime change strategy for Syria. What emerges is the clear evidence that they decided to actually use that Russian military intervention to advance their original strategic plan for the region, much like classical martial arts teaches–use your opponent’s force against them. It smacks of Churchill’s strategy of luring Hitler into a Polish invasion in 1939 so Britain could declare war on Germany, but waiting until Germany invaded the Soviet Union before seriously acting, the period of so-called Phony War.Washington has orchestrated events, including the apparent US-Russian accord around the UN Security Council Resolution 2254 of December 18, 2015 that led to Geneva III “peace” talks. The Geneva III talks were sabotaged from the outset by Washington’s control of the UN “peace” mediators, including US diplomat, now UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeffery D. Feltman, and his subordinate, Staffan de Mistura, the Machiavellian United Nations Envoy to Syria and the Arab League. Washington acceded to Saudi demands that the large Syrian Kurdish minority, who are in the firing lines of DAESH in Syria, be excluded, and that Syrian “opposition” be determined by the oil-hungry Saudis.Now, following the Munich talks of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) on February 12, co-chaired by Kerry and Lavrov, Russia and the USA have on paper agreed that, “cessation of hostilities will commence in one week, after confirmation by the Syrian government and opposition, following appropriate consultations in Syria.” Further, “The members of the ISSG reaffirmed that it is for the Syrian people to decide the future of Syria (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2016/02/252428.html).”Now there are two points that I find flashing red. The “cessation of hostilities” means that Russian highly-effective air support to the Syrian National Army and Hezbollah and other pro-Assad forces will stop or be significantly reduced at a critical point. Russian parliamentarians claim cessation will not apply to the areas around Aleppo controlled by DAESH or Al-Nusra Front, but that remains to be seen (http://tass.ru/en/politics/856244). In either case it is a trap.That ceasefire will happen just as Syrian forces, backed by Russia are on the brink of a major victory in Aleppo, breaking the DAESH supply lines to Erdogan’s Turkey, the oatron of DAESH along with the Saudi monarchy. Second, there is no demand that DAESH or Al-Nusra cease “hostilities.” That means Russia has agreed to stop support of Assad but DAESH is no party to the deal, leaving it free to rearm with Turkish and Saudi support. Now the plot thickens and gets very dangerous.
Janus-faced WashingtonWashington policy–the policy of the USA military-industrial complex and their Wall Street bankers– has in no way changed. That’s clear. I find no convincing evidence to the contrary. They plan to destroy Syria as a functioning nation, to finish the destruction of Iraq begun in 1991, and to spread that destruction now to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to Turkey, and across the entire oil and gas-rich Middle East. They are simply using other means to that end given the “game-changing” presence of Russia since September 30.While State Secretary John Kerry was working the “soft cop” routine with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in the run-up to the February 12 Munich talks, on February 10 a Pentagon spokesman falsely accused the Russian military of hitting two hospitals in Aleppo, even though, by prior agreement, it was US aircraft that operated over the city on that day. The US Pentagon spokesman, Colonel Steve Warren, charged that Russian aircraft in Syria were using “dumb” bombs, “indiscriminately scattering those bombs across populated areas regardless of whether those populated areas have women and children, civilians or hospitals,” charges denied by Moscow (http://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-russia-disagree-airstirke-syria-school-aleppo-ceasefire-when/).Two days later in Munich, Lavrov, on behalf of Moscow, apparently compromised on its offer to impose a ceasefire in three weeks and instead accepted one week, a potentially devastating setback for the near-victory of the Syrian National Army forces to retake Aleppo and seal the Turkey DAESH supply route. It’s interesting that that decision came only nine days after Henry Kissinger met with Putin in Moscow. We may never know if there was a connection. Then on February 12, Vladimir Dzhabarov, first deputy chairman of the committee for international affairs at the Federation Council, told TASS that the areas still occupied by terrorists such as DAESH and Al-Nusra were not covered by the Munich ceasefire.The Pentagon is also quietly putting “boots on the ground” in Iraq. War jargon in Washington has become so dehumanized in the era of drone warfare that we no longer speak of the soldiers, merely their “boots.” They are preparing a major military move in Syria whether through Turkish and Saudi proxies or direct, or both, despite the nice sounding words about humanitarian aid and UN supervised Syrian elections in 18 months. At the same time, US military veterans are preparing the propaganda in the US for a ten-year siege before the US could drive the last DAESH terrorist out of the oil-rich Mosul, the heart of north Iraqi oil production.On January 22 in an interview with CNBC Defense Secretary Ash Carter stated that the US intends to defeat Islamic State’s greatest strongholds: the northern Iraqi city of Mosul and the IS “capital” Raqqa, in Syria.“We’re looking for opportunities to do more and there will be boots on the ground, and I want to be clear about that. But it’s a strategic question whether you are enabling local forces to take and hold rather than trying to substitute for them,” Carter said. “We’re prepared to do a great deal because we have the finest fighting force the world has ever seen. We can do a lot ourselves,” Carter said (https://www.rt.com/news/330019-us-troops-syria-pushkov/).The US says it has already sent 50 special operations forces to northern Syria to gather intelligence and maintain contacts with local forces. “It is a keyhole through which one gets a lot of insight, and thereby allows us more effectively to bring the huge weight of coalition military power to bear on the battlefield in an effective way,” he stated. A leading Russian Duma parliamentarian, Vladimir Soloyvov, head of the Russian parliament’s Foreign Relations Committee, dismisses Carter’s statements as a Washington publicity move to “steal thunder in fighting terrorism in the Middle East,” a sign that some at least in the Russian policy establishment do not really know their enemy (https://www.rt.com/news/330019-us-troops-syria-pushkov/).
A spreading world warI’m going to make a prediction which you can verify as accurate or, hopefully, not. In about two months I estimate, around late March or April it will be clear. The US Machiavellians have lured not only Turkey’s Erdogan and Saudi Arabia’s Prince Salman, but now Moscow into their trap in the Middle East. The initial losers in this unfolding deadly game will be Saudi, Turkey, Syria, Iraq and likely Russia. The ultimate losers, eventually, will also be the American Patriarchs or oligarchs behind these incessant wars of destruction, but not immediately, short of a miracle.Look carefully at the little-reported statements in recent days of two key Washington war actors–Joe Biden and John Kerry. On January 24, Vice President Joe Biden, the one who orchestrated the US coup d’ etat in Kiev in February 2014, met with Turkish President and would-be Sultan of a neo-Ottoman imperium, Recep Erdogan. Biden told Erdogan and Prime Minister Davotoglu that Washington wanted Turkey and Iraq to “coordinate” on an emerging US military plan to take back the Iraqi city of Mosul from DAESH or the so-called Islamic State. An Obama Administration official described the Mosul attack as in “hard-core planning” stages, though not imminent.The unnamed US “senior” official, most likely Biden, stated that the US is also selecting several hundred Sunni Arabs in Syria, as well as some Turks, who Turkey says its government has identified as “potential fighters,” to help the US close the roughly 60 miles of border with Syria that remains under Islamic State control. The source added that Washington is hoping to finalize a package in coming weeks of new technological assistance for Turkey to aid in securing that stretch of border.Biden also strongly backed Turkey’s fight against the Turkish Kurdish PKK and said that the US would strengthen its military campaign against ISIS if there is no agreement on a political solution in Syria. Joe Biden well knows that Erdogan and Turkish MIT intelligence head, Hakan Fidan fully back DAESH and fully are out to create ethnic cleansing against the Kurds in Turkey, and in Syria. He knows because the CIA worked with Fidan, a US educated Turkish military veteran, at secret Turkish bases over the past two years to train DAESH terrorists in the Washington war against Assad.If you are beginning to smell a big skunk here, you have a healthy sense of smell.So now we have Washington and Erdogan bringing undesired US and Turkish troops into Iraq’s Mosul region to prepare a major military operation, with or without the agreement of Iraq’s Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi, who has repeatedly and impotently demanded the Turkish army leave Mosul.
Why Mosul?You may fairly ask, why Mosul? To paraphrase Bill Clinton in his 1992 famous retort to George H.W. Bush, “It’s the oil, stupid.” The US failed operation dubbed Arab Spring, the failed CIA and Obama Administration backing of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and across Middle East oil states, and now their operations with Turkey in Mosul and Syria are all about the oil.This time, however it isn’t about taking over the rich oilfields of Iraq and Syria. It’s about destroying them. The US-engineered, French-executed destruction of Qaddafi’s Libya is the model. Iraq, as Dick Cheney’s 2001 Energy Policy Task Force discovered, holds the world’s third largest proven conventional oil reserves, on a par with Iran, with Saudi reserves the largest. The area around Mosul and the Kurd-controlled Kirkuk fields nearby are the current focus of the US military strategy. In Syria, DAESH terrorists control most all Syrian oilfields, where they illegally export with aid of Erdogan’s family to world markets to finance their terror campaign against Assad’s regime.An ominous wire report sent a shiver down my spine when I read it. On January 28, US Army Lieutenant General Sean MacFarland, head of the US-led coalition against Daesh (ISIL) in Iraq and Syria, said that the US military was on site at the Mosul Dam to assess “the potential” for the collapse. Were it to be blown up, it would send a flood of water down the heavily populated Tigris river valley. “The likelihood of the dam collapsing is something we are trying to determine right now… all we know is when it goes, it’s going to go fast and that’s bad,” MacFarland told reporters in Baghdad. The US State Department estimates up to 500,000 people could be killed and over one million rendered homeless should Iraq’s biggest dam collapse (http://presstv.ir/Detail/2016/01/28/447727/Mosul-Dam-Iraq-US-McFarland-Warren-ISIL/).It would likely flood the large oilfields of Kirkuk on its path, rendering them inoperable. Whoever controls the Mosul Dam, the largest in Iraq, controls most of the country’s water and power resource. The dam holds back over 12 billion cubic meters of water that is crucial for irrigation in the farming areas of Iraq’s western Nineveh province. In a 2007 letter, US General David Petraeus, a key figure in the destruction of Iraq and in the creation of what became DAESH, warned Iraq’s government that “A catastrophic failure of Mosul Dam would result in flooding along the Tigris River all the way to Baghdad (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-28772478).”
Washington Proxy War BuildsCombine this statement by General MacFarland, head of the US-led coalition against Daesh (ISIL) in Iraq and Syria on that Mosul Dam, the Biden talks to get Turkey’s military invasion accepted by Iraq “in the war against DAESH” and the encouragement by State Secretary John Kerry of Prince Salman’s Saudi war against Yemen (http://sputniknews.com/us/20160125/1033695021/kerry-support-saudi-yemen-campaign.html#ixzz3z1gsJG42), as well as the recent Davos statements by Ash Carter. Add to that the fact that the Saudi and Turkish militaries just announced plans undertake joint military actions to “cooperate against common threats.”On February 13, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu confirmed a joint Turkish-Saudi joint attack plan for invading Syria, telling press, “If we have such a strategy, then Turkey and Saudi Arabia may launch a ground operation (http://russia-insider.com/en/politics/saudi-jets-deploy-turkey-joint-turkish-saudi-assault-syria-now-imminent/ri12828).” xvi (http://journal-neo.org/2016/02/17/washington-s-machiavellian-game-in-syria/#sdendnote16sym)Now add to that the fact that Turkish military began shelling a Syrian airbase and village recently retaken by Syrian Kurds, with the argument that the Kurds of Syria were “terrorists” like the Turkish PKK Kurds. Turkish Prime Minister Davutoglu confirmed the cross-border mortar shelling into Syria territory on February 13: “We will retaliate against every step (by the YPG),” he told state broadcaster TRT Haber. “The YPG will immediately withdraw from Azaz and the surrounding area and will not go close to it again (http://journal-neo.org/www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/02/turkey-shells-kurdish-held-airbase-syria-aleppo-160213160929706.htm).”Now add the fact that this week Washington repeated that it does not regard the Syrian Kurds as terrorists and that the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) have just opened its first foreign representative office in Moscow and we begin to see the outlines of Washington’s strategy of steering heated-up and hated-up Turkey and Saudi Arabia to trigger Washington’s surrogate war, a war where Turkey, a NATO member, Saudi and the Gulf Arab oil states, find themselves in a direct military confrontation with Russia in Aleppo province of Syria. The Turkish shelling at present is clearly a testing of the waters of a war with Russia to see how, in the wake of their ceasefire agreement, they will react. Will Russia retaliate by hitting Turkish military targets, in a NATO country?Combine all that with the quiet but strategic Pentagon deployments inside Syria and Iraq with “boots on the ground,” and we have the combination for an explosion across the oilfields of the entire Middle East that would rock the world. Truly, as the old Greek saying goes, whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad.I can imagine a disgusted world turning on those American Patriarchs and their proxy partners in war, telling them, to use the words of the great Freddy Mercury song, the one about rocking certain people.F. William Engdahl is strategic risk consultant and lecturer, he holds a degree in politics from Princeton University and is a best-selling author on oil and geopolitics, exclusively for the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook” (http://journal-neo.org/).
http://journal-neo.org/2016/02/17/washington-s-machiavellian-game-in-syria/

Neuro

17th February 2016, 10:37 AM

Probable false flag attack in Ankara, Turkey, about an hour ago, I have a feeling this will be blamed on the Kurds, and be the excuse for Turkey to invade Northern Syria...

At least 5 killed, 10 injured as blast hits military dorm in Turkish capital Ankara
https://www.rt.com/news/332788-ankara-blast-military-dorm/

mick silver

18th February 2016, 05:54 AM

Turkey blames Syrian Kurds for Ankara blast, they deny responsibility, point to ISIS Published time: 18 Feb, 2016 09:07Edited time: 18 Feb, 2016 12:28
Get short URL (http://on.rt.com/74ts)

https://cdn.rt.com/files/2016.02/original/56c58cbdc461883f448b45fd.jpg
Forensic experts arrive near the site of last night's explosion in Ankara, Turkey, February 18, 2016 © Umit Bektas / Reuters

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has accused forces linked with the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia of the terrorist attack in Ankara on Wednesday. Ankara promised to continue to shell the YPG, with the Syrian Kurds denying all allegations and saying Islamic State is behind the attack.
TrendsSyria-Turkey (https://www.rt.com/trends/syria-turkey-conflict-border/)

In a live television speech, Prime Minister Davutoglu said Turkey has identified the perpetrator of the Ankara bombing attack as Salih Necer, born in northern Syria's Amuda province in 1992. He added the suspect has links to the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia. Davutoglu added the alleged attacker received assistance from the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is outlawed by Ankara.
READ MORE: Moment of deadly Ankara blast caught on CCTV (VIDEO) (https://www.rt.com/news/332821-ankara-explosion-cctv-video/)

Davutoglu said the attack showed the Syrian Kurdish YPG is a terrorist organization and that Turkey expects cooperation from its allies against the group.
"In light of information we have obtained, it has been clearly identified that this attack was carried out by the members of a terrorist organization inside Turkey, together with a YPG member individual who had crossed from Syria," Davutoglu said, according to Reuters.
“Of the 28 people who lost their lives, 27 are members of the Turkish Armed Forces and one is a civilian,” the PM said, referring to Wednesday attack.
He added that nine people have been detained following the attack in Ankara.

Kurdish self-defense forces did not organize the attack in Ankara, Kurdish Democratic Union (PYD) chief Salih Muslim Muhammad told RIA Novosti.
“This is absolutely not true. Kurds have nothing to do with what happened in Ankara. What happened there is related to Turkey's fight with Islamic State [IS formerly ISIS/ISIL], whose members live in Turkey.”
He also denied claims that the armed YPG wing was firing into Turkey.
"I can assure you that not even one bullet is fired by the YPG into Turkey," Salih Muslim told Reuters. "They don't consider Turkey as an enemy."
Turkey has pledged to continue to shell positions of the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu stated on Thursday.
Davutoglu claimed Ankara had evidence revealing where the militants came from and how they organized themselves, and that this information would be soon shared with other countries.

He also warned other nations against throwing their weight behind “an enemy of Turkey,” saying that this would risk those countries’ status as allies.
"Just like Al-Qaeda or Daesh [Arabic pejorative for IS] do not have seats at the table, the YPG, which is a terrorist organization, cannot have one,” he reportedly noted.
He also mentioned that senior members of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) had been killed overnight in Turkish airstrikes on their camps in northern Iraq.
“Let’s not forget that whenever something like that happens inside Turkey, the first place that they are going to point the finger is going to be the PKK [Kurdish Workers’ Party],” Daniel Wagner, CEO of Country Risk Solutions told RT, adding that IS is “the likelier root of the cause.”
“If you look at some of the previous attacks, how successful they’ve been, the number of casualties that they’ve had in the recent months, it certainly seems to have a hallmark of Islamic State,” Wagner noted.

On Tuesday, at a closed-door meeting, called to discuss recent Turkish shelling of Kurdish YPG militia targets in Syria's north, the UN Security Council urged Ankara to comply with international law in Syria. The UN Security Council received a letter from the Syrian government in which Damascus condemned Turkey’s attacks in the north of the country.
Turkish artillery units have been shelling targets in Syria for four days in a row starting February 13, with Ankara highlighting its commitment to stopping the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) from claiming more territory in the north of the country. They have been pounding Syrian Kurdish forces in an apparent attempt to stop them from taking over the city of Azaz, 30km north-northwest of Aleppo.
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, both government and opposition-held towns over the border from Turkey have fallen under Ankara’s shelling.

The attacks have been condemned by the international community, with the UN calling on war parties to end hostilities. The US State Department has called on all sides to avoid escalation of tensions on the Syria-Turkey border.
“We have urged the YPG to avoid moves that will heighten tensions with Turkey. But at the same time we have also urged Turkey to cease any artillery… its artillery fire across the border,” State Department spokesperson Mark Toner said on Tuesday.
Turkey “sees itself at war with the Kurds internally and now externally in Syria. It is unfortunate because the Kurds are the most effective fighters against ISIS and are de facto allies of the US and Russia,” Professor of Political History at the University of Michigan Ronald G. Suny told RT earlier this week.

mick silver

18th February 2016, 05:56 AM

it time to get those boots on the ground now , they are laying the ground work or a world war ... any thought neuro

mick silver

18th February 2016, 06:06 AM

Israel & Syria: Plan B is to Balkanize ... anyone else smell anything here ...... stage being set for a world war ......By Dan Sanchez (http://www.dansanchez.me/)http://original.antiwar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/cq5dam.web_.1280.1280-1024x682.jpeg
The U.S. and Russia are ostensibly trying to arrange a truce in Syria. As The Daily Mail reported (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-3446615/Israel-pessimistic-Syria-ceasefire-talks-sectarian-partition.html), Israel recently voiced doubts about its success:

…Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon said he was “very pessimistic” about the truce’s prospects.

“Unfortunately we are going to face chronic instability for a very, very long period of time,” he said. “And part of any grand strategy is to avoid the past, saying we are going to unify Syria. We know how to make an omelette from an egg. I don’t know how to make an egg from an omelette.”

Referring to some of the warring sects, Yaalon added: “We should realise that we are going to see enclaves — ‘Alawistan’, ‘Syrian Kurdistan’, ‘Syrian Druzistan’. They might cooperate or fight each other.”

Ram Ben-Barak, director-general of Israel’s Intelligence Ministry, described partition as “the only possible solution”.
This is not the first time Yaalon has reflected on the fractious state of the Middle East. In a 2013 interview (http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/uploads/Documents/other/20130614YaalonTranscriptv2.pdf), he attributed the developing collapse, not to the disastrous wars of the past decade, but solely to the arbitrariness of the Middle Eastern nation-state’s colonial origins:

“…in a higher perspective, I would say that, yes, we witnessed the collapse of the nation‐state system in many countries. And the nation‐state system, to my mind, was imposed in many countries artificially — not in all of them. Egypt is a historic country with a long history, and it will remain Egypt. But countries like Iraq — [it] is divided into, generally speaking, Shia, Sunni, Kurds. The tribes in Libya . . . Syria: its ongoing civil war reflects the rivalry between the Alawites, the Sunnis, the Kurds, which enjoy already autonomy in Syria. And we have to look at it historically, as it was imposed by Western leaders almost one hundred years ago: Sykes‐Picot, the end of World War I. We have to look very carefully for our new Western ideas to be imposed on the Middle East.”

Yet he accentuated the positive. The “savages” have been so thoroughly set against each other, they are too preoccupied mauling each other to pay Israel any attention.

“Nevertheless, not incidentally, monarchies [have] survive[d] so far, and artificial states — publics, let’s call them — are on the way to collapse, to be divided into sectarian enclaves with political, sectarian differences and violence. . . . [But] generally speaking, Israel enjoys today a relatively calm situation security‐wise. The border with Lebanon: peace and quiet since 2006, no Hezbollah provocations. The border with Syria: some problems, because of the internal situation but, generally speaking, a calm situation. Going down to the south, in the Gaza Strip: a couple of weeks with not even one provocation on behalf of Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad or any other faction. Sinai: a quite complicated situation — the last attack was rockets launching toward the city of Eilat. But again, a relatively calm situation. Serving in the military, I don’t remember such a calm situation in such a long period of time.”
Yet, he did strike a note of caution about eventual blowback:

“But we have to warn ourselves that what dominates the Middle East is instability. So far, they are engaged among themselves, fighting each other, but it might be, in the end, that the weapons are directed toward us. Anyhow, [they] are well armed — militias, elements, whether Hezbollah, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad — well armed with rockets, missiles, which is a threat for our security.”
These reflections must be considered in context of Israeli strategic thinking going back decades. In his “strategy for Israel in the Nineteen Eighties,” Israeli official Oded Yinon predicted that:

“Syria will fall apart, in accordance with its ethnic and religious structure, into several states such as in present day Lebanon, so that there will be a Shi’ite Alawi state along its coast, a Sunni state in the Aleppo area, another Sunni state in Damascus hostile to its northern neighbor, and the Druzes who will set up a state, maybe even in our Golan, and certainly in the Hauran and in northern Jordan. (…) This state of affairs will be the guarantee for peace and security in the area in the long run, and that aim is already within our reach today.”
This was part of a more general “Yinon Plan (http://www.globalresearch.ca/greater-israel-the-zionist-plan-for-the-middle-east/5324815)” that called for the “dissolution” of “the entire Arab world including Egypt, Syria, Iraq and the Arabian peninsula.” Each country was to be made to “fall apart along sectarian and ethnic lines,” after which each resulting fragment would be “hostile” to its “neighbors.”
According to Yinon, this balkanization should be realized by fomenting discord and war among the Arabs:

“Every kind of inter-Arab confrontation will assist us in the short run and will shorten the way to the more important aim of breaking up Iraq into denominations as in Syria and in Lebanon.”
As I detailed in December (http://www.dansanchez.me/feed/war-is-realizing-the-israelizing-of-the-world), sowing discord among Arabs had already been part of Israeli policy years before Yinon’s paper.
And David Wurmser, in a 1996 strategy document (http://www.dansanchez.me/feed/seize-the-chaos) called “Coping with Crumbling States,” argued that “tribalism, sectarianism, and gang/clan-like competition” were what truly defined Arab politics. He claimed that secular-Arab nationalist regimes like Iraq’s and Syria’s tried to defy that reality, but would ultimately fail and be torn apart by it. Wurmser therefore called for “expediting” and controlling the inevitable “chaotic collapse” of Sykes-Picot through regime change in Iraq. Wurmser himself was one of the key architects of that eventual regime change and subsequent chaotic collapse throughout the region.
In general, Israel ideally prefers regime changes that result in the installation of stable puppets. That is Plan A. But Plan B is to balkanize. Better to divide and conquer than to countenance a “rogue” (independent) neighbor.
So it is noteworthy that Israel is endorsing its Plan B for Syria just when its enemies are making it plain that Plan A (“Assad Must Go (http://www.dansanchez.me/feed/syrians-deserve-self-determination)”) is not happening any time soon. Israel’s jihadi allies in Aleppo are being cut off and encircled, and seem to be on the verge of complete defeat (http://www.unz.com/tsaker/week-eighteen-of-the-russian-intervention-in-syria-a-dramatic-escalation-appears-imminent/). As the above Daily Mail article quoted:

“An Assad victory in Aleppo, Ben-Barak said, “will not solve the problem, because the battles will continue. You have ISIS there and the rebels will not lay down their weapons.” (…)

“As long as Iran is in Syria, the country will not return to what it was, and it will certainly find it difficult to become stable as a country that is divided into enclaves, because the Sunni forces there will not allow this,” Yaalon said in an earlier statement.”
In light of Israel’s strategic alliances (not only with the Sunni jihadis, but with their Sunni state sponsors (http://www.dansanchez.me/feed/saudi-arabia-and-israel-an-axis-of-convenience)) these statements can be interpreted more as threats than mere predictions.

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mick silver

18th February 2016, 07:38 AM

any of you guys remember the first gulf wars ,,, tell me this is not the same . Saudi Drill or Syrian Invasion? 350,000 Soldiers, 20,000 Tanks & 2,500 Warplanes Amass Near Syria
Read more at http://thefreethoughtproject.com/saudi-coalition-launches-massive-drills-including-350000-soldiers-20000-tanks-2500-warplanes/#PFM7hs5LYkUc4yf4.99 ... you just don't put this much stuff into one place unless it' but to b used ...

mick silver

18th February 2016, 04:11 PM

Saudi senior army commanders: sending forces to Syria shall entail serious repercussions for the KingdomBy GPD (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/admin/) on February 18, 2016
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Mohamed-bin-Nayef.jpgYesterday, a confidential letter from senior Saudi commanders to Prince Muhammad bin Nayef–the Crown Prince, first Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Interior of Saudi Arabia—was leaked out in social websites.
In this epistle, the Saudi generals pleaded with the Crown Prince to abort any probable Saudi interference in Syria due to Kingdom’s military debacles and inability to defeat the moderate strength of Yemeni revolutionaries let alone to intervene in Syrian quagmire.
The letter signed by ten outstanding Saudi generals read as follows: “We, the military experts of Saudi Arabian Royal Army with our unwavering loyalty to the faith ,King and fatherland ; hereby declare that all military goals indented for Operation Decisive Storm are not fulfilled due to professional incompetence of our forces and the Middle-East’s complex situation.”
In spite of the incendiary rhetoric made by Saudi military spokesman Gen. Ahmed al-Asiri regarding the immediate and irrevocable decision to send forces to Syria; the above-mentioned Saudi generals reiterated that getting involved into Syrian crisis will certainly threaten the Saudi national security and would lead to fatal consequences for the oil-rich Kingdom.
The signatories importuned the Crown Prince to revise the alleged plans to dispatch Saudi forces to war-ravaged Syria.
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/letter-1-150x150.jpg (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/18/saudi-senior-army-commanders-sending-forces-to-syria-shall-entail-serious-repercussions-for-the-kingdom/letter-6/)

The names of the signatories:
1) Gen. Abdullah bin Ali bin Abdullah Al-namlah
2) Gen. Saleh bin Ali bin Mohammed Al-mhya
3) Gen. Ali bin Mohammed bin Ali Al-Khalifa
4) MG. Morih bin Hassan bin Ali Al-shhrani
5) MG. Abdul Rahman Bin Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Murshid
6) MG. As’ad ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Zuhair
7) MG. Majed bin Talhab bin Hamad Al-Otaibi
8) MG. Nasser Bin Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah Al-Orfaj
9) Lt Gen. Aoun bin Ali bin Ahmad Al-Shmrani
10) Lt Gen. Ali bin Halhol bin Jarvan Al-ashja’i Al-Rovyli

mick silver

18th February 2016, 04:20 PM

Russia and Turkey Exchange Threats as War Tensions Reverberate Along Syrian BorderSource: Jeff Queally (http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/02/17/russia-and-turkey-exchange-threats-war-tensions-reverberate-along-syrian-border)

A bomb blast (http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/deadly-blast-rocks-turkish-capital-ankara-65193420) in the Turkish capital of Ankara on Wednesday—which killed dozens of people and injured scores of others—arrived alongside increasing global worries about how Turkey is responding to shifting developments on the other side of its border with Syria where a brutal civil war and international fight against the Islamic State continues.
Over the recent days and weeks, the Syrian armed forces of President Bashar al-Assad, backed by Russian airstrikes and the Syrian Kurdish milita known as the YPG, have closed off vital supply routes of ISIS and opposition fighters while capturing long-held territory near the strategically-situated town of Azaz and the rebel stronghold of Aleppo in northwestern Syria.
As Reuters reports (http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-kurds-idUSKCN0VQ1FR):

Russian bombing has transformed the five-year-old Syrian civil war in recent weeks, turning the momentum decisively in favor of Moscow's ally President Bashar al-Assad.
The Syrian army has come within 25 km (15 miles) of the Turkish border and says it aims to seal it off altogether, closing the main lifeline into rebel territory for years and recapturing Aleppo, Syria's largest city before the war.
Meanwhile, the YPG has exploited the situation, seizing ground from other Syrian opposition groups in the area.
Turkey has responded to those advances over the weekend by shelling YPG positions inside Syria and openly talking about a ground incursion alongside forces from Saudi Arabia (http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-turkey-idUSKCN0VP0WO). On Wednesday, Ankara elevated its call for a no-conflict "buffer zone"—one that would extend 10-kilometers (6 miles) from the Turkish border into Syria—as a way to insulate some of those Syrian rebel groups it views as "moderate" allies but which experts have repeatedly pointed out (http://www.commondreams.org/news/2014/10/02/analysts-sound-alarm-myth-moderate-syrian-rebels) have ties to the Al-Nusra Front, which is the al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria.
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"What we want is to create a secure strip, including Azaz, 10 km deep inside Syria and this zone should be free from clashes," said Deputy Prime Minister Yalcin Akdogan in a television interview.
That plan, however, is in direct opposition to Assad's stated plan which is to recapture Aleppo and all the surrounding territory in order to cut off the flow of people, weapons, and supplies that it says are funneled over the border from Turkey. As Reuters notes (http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-turkey-idUSKCN0VP0WO), such a development "would be the government's biggest victories of the war so far and probably end rebel hopes of overthrowing al-Assad by force, their objective since 2011 with the encouragement of the West, Arab states and Turkey."
While the Russian foreign ministry condemned Turkey's shellling, describing it as "total lawlessness (http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-russia-turkey-idUSKCN0VQ0LW)" along the border, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday vowed to do whatever it takes to keep the YPG from gaining more territory.
Robert Ellis, an expert on Turkey and contributor to The Independent newspaper, said (http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/turkeys-sabre-rattling-at-the-syrian-border-means-the-prospect-of-peace-is-more-distant-than-ever-a6879276.html) that calling the current situation "complicated" would be "the understatement of the year" and went on to quote a U.S. policy expert who recently described the festering dynamics between Syria, the U.S., Russia, Turkey, and other regional players as "three-dimensional chess with nine players and no rules." And as Roy Gutman wrote (http://foreignpolicy.com/2016/02/16/syria-ceasefire-brings-turkey-closer-to-war/) at Foreign Policy on Tuesday:

What happens next is anything but clear. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Monday that Turkey will not allow Azaz to fall to the YPG. He said if the militia moves again towards Azaz, “they will see the harshest reaction.” He also warned that “if Russia continues behaving like a terrorist organization, and forcing civilians to flee, we will deliver an extremely decisive response.”
But even as he spoke, the YPG-led coalition with Arab fighters announced the capture of another village close to Azaz. Meanwhile, Turkish Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz on Feb. 14 ruled out any unilateral deployment of ground troops to Syria, and other officials said Turkey will act only if the United States takes part — a highly unlikely scenario as it could lead to conflict with Russia. [...]
The U.S. government has criticized both Turkey for shelling the YPG and the Kurdish militia for seizing territory from U.S.-backed rebels. As the war in northern Syria escalates, it’s not clear which side Washington favors — or what, if anything, it is prepared to do to affect the ever-more chaotic situation on the ground.
In turn, as many experts note (https://www.rt.com/op-edge/332381-syria-saudi-turkey-troops/), the shifting territorial situation in Syria is finally exposing some of the key contradictions (http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/02/17/obamas-moderate-syrian-deception) of how the U.S. and its NATO allies in Europe have approached the civil war in Syria. Now, as the YPG and Syrian army continue to make advances, how Turkey responds could have dramatic consequences for all the parties involved. As Joe Lauria, veteran foreign-affairs journalist, explained this week:

The risks of a Saudi-Turkish invasion of Syria are enormous. If soldiers from NATO-member Turkish are killed by the Syrian army or Russian air force, will they seek NATO protection? If Saudi or its allied troops are killed how would the U.S. respond? An invasion could pit Saudi troops against Iranian forces on the same battlefield in what could be an historic Sunni-Shia battle.
Despite the tough Turkish and Saudi rhetoric, Saudi Arabia at least, has made it clear that it won’t invade without the U.S. leading the way. That puts the ball squarely in the Oval Office where President Obama has resisted committing U.S. combat troops to another war in the Middle East but reportedly wants to avoid further alienating U.S. “allies,” Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, according to journalist Patrick Cockburn, the latest shifts—though soaked in the blood of the Syrian people and not an indication that the overall war against the Islamic State is even close to over—may at least be offering the outlines of an endgame for Syria.
"The war is far from over, but the likely winners and losers are becoming clearer," wrote Cockburn in a weekend column. "There is going to be no radical regime change in Damascus. The Sunni Arab opposition has failed to win power in Syria and is on the defensive in Iraq. The Kurds in both countries are politically and militarily more powerful than ever because they are effective opponents of Isis, but, once it is defeated, the Kurds fear being marginalised."
While "regional powers such as Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar failed to overthrow Assad, and have achieved none of their war aims," continued Cockburn, the Iranians, Russia, and the Shia coalition that also includes Hezbollah-led fighters from Lebanon have been much more successful inside Syria. Though many criticized Russia for entering the war in such a pronounced way, he concludes, recent events show that decision by President Vladimir Putin "has become central to deciding how the war will end."
As investigative journalist and columnist Gareth Porter adds in his latest analysis (http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/02/17/obamas-moderate-syrian-deception), a "Russian-Syrian success offers the most realistic prospect for an end to the bloodletting in Syria and would also reduce the likelihood of an eventual Al Qaeda seizure of power in Syria."
But it seems worth repeating. "What happens next is anything but clear."

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mick silver

18th February 2016, 04:24 PM

Obama’s ‘Moderate’ Syrian Deception

President Obama, who once called the idea of 'moderate' Syrian rebels a 'fantasy,' has maintained the fiction to conceal the fact that many 'moderates' are fighting alongside Al Qaeda’s jihadists, an inconvenient truth that is complicating an end to Syria’s civil war

http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/02/17/obamas-moderate-syrian-deception

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President Barack Obama talks with Ambassador Samantha Power, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, following a Cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Sept. 12, 2013. (Photo: Official White House/Pete Souza)

Secretary of State John Kerry insisted at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday that the agreement with Russia on a temporary halt in the war in Syria can only be carried out if Russia stops its airstrikes against what Kerry is now calling “legitimate opposition groups.”
But what Kerry did not say is that the ceasefire agreement would not apply to operations against Al Qaeda’s Syrian franchise, the Nusra Front, which both the United States and Russia have recognized as a terrorist organization. That fact is crucial to understand why the Obama administration’s reference to “legitimate opposition groups” is a deception intended to mislead public opinion.
The Russian airstrikes in question are aimed at cutting off Aleppo city, which is now the primary center of Nusra’s power in Syria, from the Turkish border. To succeed in that aim, Russian, Syrian and Iranian forces are attacking rebel troops deployed in towns all along the routes from Aleppo to the border.Those rebels include units belonging to Nusra, their close ally Ahrar al-Sham, and other armed opposition groups – some of whom have gotten weapons from the CIA in the past.
Kerry’s language suggests that those other “legitimate opposition groups” are not part of Nusra’s military structure but are separate from it both organizationally and physically. But in fact, there is no such separation in either of the crucial provinces of Idlib and Aleppo.
Information from a wide range of sources, including some of those the United States has been explicitly supporting, makes it clear that every armed anti-Assad organization unit in those provinces is engaged in a military structure controlled by Nusra militants. All of these rebel groups fight alongside the Nusra Front and coordinate their military activities with it.
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This reality even slips into mainstream U.S. news accounts on occasion, such as Anne Barnard’s New York Times article last Saturday about the proposed Syrian cease-fire in which she reported (http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/13/world/middleeast/syria-cease-fire.html), “With the proviso that the Nusra Front, Al Qaeda’s branch in Syria, can still be bombed, Russia puts the United States in a difficult position; the insurgent groups it supports cooperate in some places with the well-armed, well-financed Nusra in what they say is a tactical alliance of necessity against government forces.”
At least since 2014 the Obama administration has armed a number of Syrian rebel groups even though it knew the groups were coordinating closely with the Nusra Front, which was simultaneously getting arms from Turkey and Qatar. The strategy called for supplying TOW anti-tank missiles to the “Syrian Revolutionaries Front” (SRF) as the core of a client Syrian army that would be independent of the Nusra Front.
However, when a combined force of Nusra and non-jihadist brigades including the SRF captured the Syrian army base at Wadi al-Deif in December 2014, the truth began to emerge. The SRF and other groups to which the United States had supplied TOW missiles had fought under Nusra’s command to capture the base.
And as one of the SRF fighters who participated in the operation, Abu Kumayt, recalled to The New York Times, after the victory only Nusra and its very close ally Ahrar al-Sham were allowed to enter the base. Nusra had allowed the groups supported by the United States to maintain the appearance of independence from Nusra, according to Abu Kumyt, in order to induce the United States to continue the supply of U.S. weapons.
Playing Washington
In other words, Nusra was playing Washington, exploiting the Obama administration’s desire to have its own Syrian Army as an instrument for influencing the course of the war. The administration was evidently a willing dupe.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford, who had been supporting an aggressive program of arming opposition brigades that had been approved by the CIA, told (http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/world/middle-east/article24780202.html) a January 2015 seminar in Washington, “For a long time we have looked the other way while the Nusra Front and armed groups on the ground, some of which are getting help from us, have coordinated in military operations against the regime.”
Reflecting the views of some well-placed administration officials, he added, “I think the days of us looking the other way are finished.” But instead of breaking with the deception that the CIA’s hand-picked clients were independent of Nusra, the Obama administration continued to cling to it.
Nusra and its allies were poised to strike the biggest blow against the Assad regime up to the time – the capture of Idlib province. Although some U.S.-supported groups participated in the campaign in March and April 2015, the “operations room” planning the campaign was run by Al Qaeda and its close ally Ahrar al Sham.
And before the campaign was launched, Nusra had forced another U.S.-supported group, Harakat Hazm, to disband and took all of its TOW anti-tank missiles.
Furthermore, Saudi Arabia and Qatar were financing the “Army of Conquest,” commanded by Nusra, and were lobbying the administration to support it. U.S. strategy on Syria was then shifting toward a tacit reliance on the jihadists to achieve the U.S. objective of putting sufficient pressure on the Assad regime to force some concessions on Damascus.
But the idea that an independent “moderate” armed opposition still existed – and that the United States was basing its policy on those “moderates” – was necessary to provide a political fig leaf for the covert and indirect U.S. reliance on Al Qaeda’s Syrian franchise’s military success.
When the fall of Idlib led to the Russian intervention last September, the U.S. immediately resorted to its propaganda line about Russian targeting of the “moderate” armed opposition. It had become a necessary shield for the United States to continue playing a political-diplomatic game in Syria.
As the current Russian-Syrian-Iranian offensive between Aleppo and the Turkish border unfolds, the Obama administration’s stance has been contradicted by fresh evidence of the subordination of non-jihadist forces to the Nusra Front. In late January, Nusra consolidated its role as the primary opposition military force in the eastern part of Aleppo City by sending a huge convoy of 200 vehicles loaded with fighters, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights in London.
BBC reported that “thousands of troops” had just arrived in Aleppo for the coming battle. Ahrar al-Sham confirmed on Feb. 2 that its ally, the Nusra Front, had deployed a large convoy of “reinforcements” to Aleppo. The pro-Assad Beirut daily As-Safir reported that the convoys also included artillery, tanks and armored vehicles, and that Nusra had taken over a number of buildings to serve as its headquarters and offices.
How Al Qaeda Controls
An assessment published on Saturday by the Institute for the Study of War, which has long advocated more U.S. military assistance to Syrian anti-Assad groups, provides further insights into the Nusra Front’s system of control over U.S.-supported groups. One way the jihadist organization maintains that control, according to the study, is Ahrar al Sham’s control of the Bab al Hawa border crossing with Turkey, which gives Nusra and Ahrar power over the distribution of supplies from Turkey into Aleppo City and surrounding areas.
ISW points out that another instrument of control is the use of “military operations rooms” in which Nusra and Ahrar al Sham play the dominant role while allocating resources and military roles to lesser military units.
Although the Nusra Front is not listed as part of the “Army of Aleppo” formally announced to combat the Russian offensive, it is hardly credible that it does not hold the primary positions in the operations room for the Aleppo campaign, given the large infusion of Nusra troops into the theater from Idlib and its history in other such operations rooms in the Idlib and Aleppo regions.
Yet another facet of Nusra’s power in Aleppo is its control over the main water and power plants in the opposition-controlled districts of the city. But the ultimate source of Nusra’s power over U.S.-supported groups is the threat to attack them as agents of the United States and take over their assets. Al Qaeda’s franchise “successfully destroyed two U.S.-backed groups in Northern Syria in 2014 and early 2015,” ISW recalls, and initiated a campaign last October against one of the remaining U.S.-supported groups, Nour al Din al Zenki.
The official U.S. posture on the current offensive in the Aleppo theater and the proposed ceasefire obscures the fact that a successful Russian-Syrian operation would make it impossible for the external states, such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia, to resupply the Nusra Front and Ahrar al Sham and thus end the military threat to the Syrian government as well as the possibility of Al Qaeda’s seizure of power in Damascus.
Russian-Syrian success offers the most realistic prospect for an end to the bloodletting in Syria and would also reduce the likelihood of an eventual Al Qaeda seizure of power in Syria.
The Obama administration certainly understands that fact and has already privately adjusted its diplomatic strategy to take into account the likelihood that the Nusra Front will now be substantially weakened. But it cannot acknowledge any of that publicly because such a recognition would infuriate many hardliners in Washington who still demand “regime change” in Damascus whatever the risks.
President Obama is under pressure from these domestic critics as well as from Turkey, Saudi Arabia and other GCC allies to oppose any gains by the Russians and the Assad regime as a loss for the United States. And Obama administration must continue to hide the reality that it was complicit in a strategy of arming Nusra – in part through the mechanism of arming Washington’s “moderate” clients – to achieve leverage on the Syrian regime.
Thus the game of diplomacy and deceptions continues.

mick silver

18th February 2016, 04:27 PM

Russia calls Turkey strikes on Syria 'absolute lawlessness': RIAMOSCOW

http://s1.reutersmedia.net/resources/r/?m=02&d=20160217&t=2&i=1118110182&w=644&fh=&fw=&ll=&pl=&sq=&r=LYNXNPEC1G0C0
A Turkish soldier standing guard is seen from the Syrian town of Khirbet Al-Joz at the Turkish-Syrian border, in Latakia countryside, where internally displaced Syrian people are waiting to get permission to cross into Turkey, February 7, 2016.
Reuters/Ammar Abdullah

MOSCOW Russia's foreign ministry said on Wednesday Turkish artillery strikes on northern Syria are "absolute lawlessness", Russia's RIA state news agency reported.
"What is happening on the Turkish-Syrian border now is absolute lawlessness..." Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman of the Russian foreign ministry, was quoted as saying.
"Turkey shells settlements across the border, transfers money, people and supplies there."
(Reporting by Ekaterina Golubkova, writing by Maria Tsvetkova, editing by Christian Lowe)

mick silver

18th February 2016, 04:54 PM

: US Secretly Plans to Reopen Military Base in Iceland© AP Photo/ Kirsty Wigglesworth

Europe (http://sputniknews.com/europe/)23:55 18.02.2016(updated 02:36 19.02.2016) Get short URL
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As a response to the deteriorating relations between Washington and Moscow, the United States will reopen a Cold War-era naval base in Iceland. These plans were kept secret from the Icelandic public, and even the prime minister of the country learned of the deal only through US media reports."A lot of Icelanders are worried," Paul Fontaine, news editor with the Reykjavik Grapevine, told Radio Sputnik. "When the base closed in 2006, a lot of Icelanders were relieved."

Located near the capital of Reykjavik, the base, originally built during World War II, will be retrofitted to house P-8 Poseidon surveillance planes. News of this arrangement came as a complete surprise to many Icelanders.http://cdn3.img.sputniknews.com/images/103154/96/1031549649.jpg
© AFP 2016/ GREG WOOD
US Considering Iceland to Land Spy Planes - Reports (http://sputniknews.com/military/20160212/1034614286/us-arctic-spy-planes.html)

"Why did we learn about this from Stars and Stripes, the US military’s media outlet," Fontaine asked. "Even the Prime Minister himself said that he learned about these plans from the news, and that’s highly unusual."
While the US has so far stated that it only plans to upgrade a single hangar, the move makes it likely that the military presence at the base could be greatly expanded in the future.
"The US military has said that they kind of look at Iceland as having the potential to be like their base in Sicily," Fontaine says. "And their base in Sicily has some 4,000 troops and family members and other base workers. I think that calls for worry."

While opposition figures point out the concerns of allowing the US to expand its military presence in Iceland, the government has downplayed the move.http://cdn3.img.sputniknews.com/images/102611/57/1026115749.jpg
© Sputnik/ Alexander Liskin
Containing Russia’s Arctic Presence ‘Imperative’ for US - Defense Intelligence Director (http://sputniknews.com/us/20160209/1034475998/arctic-us-presence-director.html)

"People in the opposition are saying, 'Hey, this is worrisome. Why are we hearing this from the American military and not from you all?' It’s a very strange way to play things out," he states.
If war were to break out between the United States and Russia, the presence of an American military base would quickly drag Iceland into the conflict.
"A lot of Icelanders are a little bit concerned that this kind of puts us in a situation right now," Fontaine says. "I remember the Cold War, I was in high school through the Cold War, and I remember how these two countries can engage via proxy through smaller parties, and right now we’re the smaller party."
While the base is said to be temporary, history shows that this may not be the case.
"The American military very seldom sends a few guys and then withdraws them," he says. "Especially if it’s at a strategic point, especially during a time when tensions are rising with a potential rival."
"I have very little faith in the word of the American military that they’re just going to send a few guys here and then take them out."

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mick silver

18th February 2016, 04:58 PM

Feb. 18 Syria War Updates - RUSSIA WARNS TURKS - "WE MAY BOMB YOUR TROOPS" Post by U.S.Reporter (https://www.superstation95.com/index.php/world/author/966-usreporter) - Feb 18, 2016

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NATO to tell Turkey "no support" if they invade Syria ! ! ! ! ! After yesterday's "terrorist" bombing in Ankara, the Turkey gov't is on the warpath; claiming fingerprints from the dead car bomber's body prove it was Kurds from Syria! They are moving troops toward the Syria border.
Just a couple problems: The car bomb was said to contain 1,000 pounds of C-4 plastic explosives when it detonated; there would not have been anything left of the car bomber for them to obtain fingerprints from! On top of that, the Turkey gov't made this "discovery" only 6 hours after the bombing took place, and the individual they CLAIM is responsible, just happens to be a Kurd, from Syria, who is a known "YPG" fighter. The exact people that have been assisting Syria and Russia to hunt down and kill ISIS terrorists!
Turkey has been desperately trying to build a case to send ground troops into Syria because the Syrian Arab Army, the Russians and the Kurds have been blasting the terrorists to hell; and Turkey is openly supporting ISIS and Al-Qaida terrorists! Want proof? Here it is:

TURKEY DELIVERS AMMUNITION TO JIHADIS!!!!This video, taken in Syria TODAY, shows five tractor trailers from the Turkey Regular Army, crossing the border into an ISIS-controlled area of Syria to DELIVER AMMUNITION to the Jihadis! ! ! !
This video was taken by reporters embedded on the ground in the war zone. Their credibility os 100% with us. As with any employer, liars get fired. As such, we completely rely on the authenticity of the video and its decription, sent us us at great personal peril.
Turkey is helping ISIS and Al-Qaida terrorists inside Syria. This video is proof. (If the video does NOT play below, click HERE (https://youtu.be/BA37nW0spRk) to Youtube)

In other developments: (All times are Eastern US Time on 18 Feb. and represent the time that WE received the updates at SuperStation95)

00:54 Ankara terrorist attack aimed at disruption of intra-Syrian talks - Russian senator
http://tass.ru/en/politics/857510

01:08 The Independent: Erdogan will take Turkey down with him if he intervenes in Syria
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/turkeys-sabre-rattling-at-the-syrian-border-means-the-prospect-of-peace-is-more-distant-than-ever-a6879276.html

01:42 'We have proof' Turkey backs ISIS & other terrorists – Kurdish commander
https://www.rt.com/news/332794-kurds-proof-turkey-islamists/

02:30 referencing the car used for the Ankara bombing --

It was reported that the attack was carried out with a car which had been rented in southern Izmir province but was stolen by the terrorist. (Turkey is continuing to push this completely unbelievable and totally discredited notion that a Kurd, from Syria, who is affiliated with the YPG (who are fighting ISIS in Syria) was the bomber and despite being inside the car bomb when it detonated, the Turks somehow managed to get fingerprints off what was left of the dead body and identify this person within 6 hours of the blast!)
http://www.dailysabah.com/politics/2016/02/18/ankara-bomber-identified-by-security-sources

02:45 Ankara blast forces cancellation of EU-Turkey mini-summit on refugees
A mini-summit on Europe`s refugee crisis gathering 11 EU countries and Turkey, due to take place on Thursday, has been cancelled because of the bomb attack in Ankara, diplomats said Wednesday.
http://zeenews.india.com/news/world/ankara-blast-forces-cancellation-of-eu-turkey-mini-summit-on-refugees-eu-sources_1856728.html

03:27 MULTIPLE CASUALTIES REPORTED FOLLOWING (a Different) EXPLOSION NEAR MILITARY CONVOY TRAVELING NEAR DIYARBAKIR BINGOL ROAD TURKEY
2nd Source: Explosion rocks military convoy in southeast Turkey, some wounded, security sources say
Reports coming in of multiple casualties after bus carrying Turkish soldiers was targeted in the southeast.
Convoy was traveling along the Diyarbakir - Bingol road, Turkey

03:31 BREAKING: Erdogan to visit Turkish military's chief of staff in half an hour

SECOND EXPLOSION ADDITIONAL INFO : At least 7 turkish soldiers dead

03:37 The Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu talks at general staff

03:43 #BREAKING Turkish PM says Turkey now expects clear attitude from allies on YPG, with no buts and whatsoever (Translation: The rest of the world better see things our way now . . .)
More . . . . "Kurdish rebels, Syrian Kurdish militants responsible for Ankara attack."

mick silver

18th February 2016, 05:01 PM

#Turkey detains nine suspects over #Ankarabombing: PM (AFP) (Within hours of the blast they already have nine "perps?" If Turk security is this good, how did they fail to stop this alleged gang? )

03:47 Turkey calling for NATO to label YPG in Syria an offshoot of PKK- and declare them all "terrorists" (Wow. He waited a full four minutes after declaring the world should see things Turkey's way.)

03:49 Russian warship arrives at #Tartous port (In Syria, on Mediterranean, south of Latakia)

03:51 Sky News Newsdesk Update - Seven people from a Turkish military convoy have been killed following an explosion in southeast Turkey

03:53 King of Saudi Arabia, Erdogan discuss regional developments
http://www.arabnews.com/featured/news/882361

03:53 Russian UN envoy: Turkey may provide training to terrorists that can end up in Russia
http://tass.ru/en/politics/857508

04:03 SAA have taken control of Jabal Kinsiba and have cut the militant's major route into Kinsiba, intense clashes ongoing -- Latakia

04:04 Turkish PM says YPG member Salih Neccer of Syrian origin is responsible for the terrorist attack in Ankara he also says: "Syrian regime directly responsible for #Ankara attack" (Here we go!)

04:12 According to US State Department and Pentagon, YPG has nothing to do with Ankara bombing.
(OOOOOOOOH! A public slap-down of Turkey by the US? HMMMMMM. )

04:13 Turkish army has entered #Afrin Canton in North of #Syria --
(SS95 is seeking confirmation)

04:18 Head of Syrian Kurdish PYD denies #Ankara attack responsibility - @AFP

04:22 Turkish troops crossed into Rojava -- Claim dozens of Turkish military vehicles have crossed 200m into Syria. http://anfturkce.net/kurdistan/turk-askerleri-rojava-ya-gecti CONFIRMED: http://anfturkce.net/kurdistan/turk-askerleri-rojava-ya-gecti

04:28 CONFIRMED KINSIBA HAS BEEN LIBERATED By The Syrian Arab Army, The YPG and the SDF - Jihadists on the run!

04:32 DIPLOMATIC LANGUAGE BECOMING VERY UNDIPLOMATIC! ‘US will regret its support of the Syrian Kurds, but it'll be too late’- Turkish Ambassador Tweet
to which Russia replied:
"Turkey will regret its support for terrorists, but it will be too late"

05:00 Syria Democratic Forces #QSD (SDF) Condemns #terrorist_attack in #Ankara

05:11 Hundreds of armed rebels cross from Turkey into Syria, says European monitor

05:12 Turkey begins de-mining border areas for an invasion into Syria.

05:25 Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu of Turkey just reiterated again "We will take whatever action we deem necessary against Assad regime."

05:25 Turkish PM says country has every right to take any measures it sees fit against Assad regime, which is responsible for Ankara attack. (Hyperbole: Would someone please put a straight jacket on this nut?)

05:30 We will act with all of our strength for our self defence - Erdogan

05:35 500 extremists cross into Aleppo under Turkish supervision
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/29075/

05:39 The Associated Press BREAKING: Turkey's president says evidence points to Syrian Kurdish militia in Ankara attack despite denials

05:41 President Erdogan: "International community and Turkey's friends will start to better understand what we have been unable to make them see" (What? That Turkey actively supports ISIS?)

05:46 Mayor of #Ankara says Now US has to
1)Stop supporting YPG
2)Call YPG as terrorists
3)Help Turkey ag. YPG
(We wonder if perhaps the Mayor wants us to give Turkey a blow job too?)

05:48 Erdogan: Ankara bomb indicates that Turkey’s [military] operation yields serious results in face of recent terror (Hyperbole: Following this logic, Turkey will be completely destroyed by the end of the year.)

05:53 Davutoglu: Turkey reserves the right to take any measure against Syrian regime

SYRIA REPLY: A hot war is coming very soon if Turkey tries anything.

Also, Hundreds of Syria rebels re-enter country from Turkey to reinforce trapped insurgents - rebel sources

"On Sunday, the Syrian government had said Turkish forces were among 100 gunmen who had entered Syria accompanied by 12 pick-up trucks mounted with heavy machine guns, in an ongoing supply operation to insurgents." (Which Turkey previously - and publicly - DENIED! They just got caught lying!)

06:13 Since Syrian Arab Army (SAA) cut the N Aleppo - Idlib supply route; Turkey has sent 2500+ militants incl. equipment & munitions through Bab Hawa -> Azaz pocket.

06:15 BreakingNews #SDF (#QSD) liberated TWO villages (22Km) south of Hawl ** Satem_hamad & khmes_alamo** after heavy clashes with #ISIS.

06:16 Russian-made 1L119 Nebo SVU “counter-stealth” VHF Band AESA antenna equipped radar. Already in #IRIAF

06:17 Commander of #Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, Ground Forces -- confirms #ran has sent Saberin special forces to Syria and Iraq at the request of, and with permission from, BOTH countries!
(Editorial NOTE: The US is destroying its relationships throughout the Middle East by backing the Rebels and Terrorist Jihadis trying to overthrow Syrian President Assad. The US is backing the wrong side and HAS BEEN for over a year. Our nation may never recover from this grossly incompetent, and ILLEGAL foreign policy by the affirmative-action President, Barack Obama, and his useful idiots throughout government Where the hell is Congress to put a complete stop to this international suicide by our government?????)

06:18 AlIkhbaria reporter Inside Kinssaba: #SAA is currently dismantling IED"s & explosives terrorists left behind.#Syria

06:18 Ongoing Russian "Doomsday Plane" Il-86VKP (air command post. Rocket Forces) begins drill today -- V.Dmitrenko (Rockets get used for launching Intercontinental Ballistic Nuclear Warheads)

06:23 Turkey says it will create a safe line inside Syria -- "We want a 10 kilometre safe line inside Syria including Azaz." www.telegraph.co.uk (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/)

REPLY from Syria and Russia: "Don't even think about trying."

06:24 Tiger Forces capture Al-Siin while surrounding ISIS at the Aleppo
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/tiger-forces-capture-al-siin-while-surrounding-the-aleppo-thermal-plant/

SuperStation95 contacted its confidential sources in the Pentagon, whose Identities we must protect for obvious reasons. Those sources gave us the following (brutal) assessment of todays ongoing events:

"Russia is waiting to ensure that Turkey has no chance of invoking article 5 of the NATO pact before kicking the fuck out of Turkey.. Turkey is is attacking Syria but Syria has attacked no one."
Few people I know are buying last nights false flag attack in Turkey, they must take us for fools to fall for a convenient false flag so easy."
"Don't stand back Saudi Arabia, you get in their as well because Mr. Putin has a special plan for you to help raise oil prices back up again but we don't think you will like it."

06:29 Turkish PM says supporters of YPG will risk losing their status as Turkey 's friends.

06:29 Deandra Joseph -- Turkey, Saudi pursuing Syria invasion for 2 years: Assad
http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2016/02/15/450540/Syria-Assad-Turkey-Saudi-Arabia-terrorists

06:32 Russia warns Turks: We might bomb your troops. Moscow believes attack--- in Syria --- would not trigger NATO action (Here it comes!)

06:41 #RuAF airstrikes Jihadis in Bani Zayd in Aleppo

06:55 al-Nusra (Al Qaeda): “We are moving from Hama to N. Aleppo country side to support our brothers” -

06:57 Jaish al-Thuwar (part of Kurdish-led SDF), reports heavy clashes with #ISIS near Qere Qozaq north of Sarrin #Syria

07:10 #Breaking Turkey summons ambassadors of permanent UNSC members following Ankara terror attack.

07:20 Massive explosions rocking Tal Abyad western countryside believed to be Turkey artillery shelling YPG positions there

07:23 Breaking Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launch "Wrath of Khaboor" op to take #ISIS-held Shaddadi in East.

For those interested in the Turkish reason/goal of calling for Ambassadors from the 5 UN Permanent UNSC members, SuperStation95 reached out to highy confidential sources in the US State Department and determined the following:

There are two items on the agenda (this is confirmed) . . .

1) Turkey will present what they say is evidence to point to Syrian Kurds and the Assad regime being behind the attack in Ankara yesterday with a full briefing for each ambassador

2) Turkey is putting each of these countries on notice that they will be responding militarily as they are saying it is an existential threat to Turkey.

They will be briefing each Ambassador individually, before talking with the UN as a whole.

They are currently deciding whether or not to invoke a full NATO meeting too.

Each ambassador will have their meeting with Turkish authorities today with what the Turks are calling "extreme urgency"
Invoking NATO nuclear powers in response for one blast in Ankara seems beyond any possibility. If Turkey calls a meeting and gets a 'no' it would probably be more damaging to their case than not calling a NATO meeting.

07:52 Turkish press telling Turkish public "foreign powers" behind Ankara blast
http://www.euronews.com/2016/02/18/turkish-press-says-foreign-powers-behind-ankara-blast/

08:02 -- Turkey Blames Kurds, Assad For Terrorist Attack, Vows Swift Response
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-02-18/turkey-blames-kurds-assad-terrorist-attack-vows-swift-response

08:21 Related? Or the _real_ reason behind all this trouble in the world?
HUNGARIAN CENTRAL BANK HOARDES 200,000 BULLETS AND ORDERS NEW WEAPONS. "SECURITY CONCERNS."
Yes. Global economic collapse because the bakers have gambled away depositors money thru Derivatives" and when the whole system collapses and all the working men and women of the world wake up broke, the bankers know what those people will do.

08:22 CAUGHT: Erdogan's Army Transferring ISIS members via tunnel from Turkey to the #Kurdish #YPG zone in Azaz, Syria

08:44 Village of Ghawnat/Ghuna liberated by SDF, 25km NE of Shaddadi.

09:08 BREAKING: SDF have seized the road between Mosul and ISIS held Shaddadi.

09:18 Obama admin rejects plans to hit ISIS’ Libyan capital

09:32 Russian Navy Deploys the "Novocherkassk "142 through the Bosphorus today en route to Tartus Syria
https://cdn.superstation95.com/images/RussianNavy142.jpg

Country: Russia.
Class, [Type]: Ropucha, [LST].
Homeport: Sevastopol.

Builder: Northern Shipyard, Gdansk, Poland.
Commission date: 17 April 1987.

Displacement ( tons ): 4400 full load.
Dimensions ( metres ): 112,5 x 15 x 3,7.
Main machinery: 2 x Zgoda-Sulzer 16ZV40/48 diesels ( 19230 hp ).
Speed ( knots ): 17,5.
Range ( miles ): 3000 at 16 knots.
Complement: 95 ( 7 officers ).

Guns: 2 x 2 57mm AK-725, 2 x 6 30mm AK-630, 2 x 40 rocket launchers 122mm UMS-73 Grad-M.
Missiles: SAM: 1 x 4 SA-N-5 Grail.
Mines: 92.
Military lift: 10 Main Battle Tanks, 190 marines or 24 AFV, 170 marines or mines.

Radar: Air/surface Search: Strut Curve, Navigation: Nayada; Fire Control: Muff Cob.

09:42 Moscow warns against introduction of no-fly zone in Syria
http://tass.ru/en/politics/857637

09:46 Breaking : #SAA Tiger Forces captures Jeb Ghabishah in E.#Aleppo

09:57 At least 38 killed in U.S.-led strikes in Syria's Hasaka over 48 hours to support SDF/YPG (Is the U.S. finally switching sides? Are we Finally beginning to back the good guys ?? Is this a direct slap in the face to Turkey who is demanding the US regard YPG as "terrorists????)

10:01 Western diplomat says NATO has warned Turkey of "no support" if it launches ground attack in Syria

10:08 Breaking Massive explosion rocked eastern parts of #Qamishli near #Turkey borders.. #Syria
Turkey artillery rounds just hit #YPG positions in border town Ras al-Ayn.. #Hasakah #Syria (The good guys just took a very bad, direct hit, from Turkey's army. )

10:24 AM U.S. tanks and artillery sent to Norwegian caves

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Marines are prepositioning battle tanks, artillery and logistics equipment inside Norwegian caves as the U.S. pushes to station equipment near the NATO-Russia frontier.

"Any gear that is forward-deployed both reduces cost and speeds up our ability to support operations in crisis, so we're able to fall in on gear that is ready-to-go and respond to whatever that crisis may be," Col. William Bentley, operations officer for the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, said in a statement Friday on the Norwegian deployment that called the caves classified.

The deployment of new equipment to the Cold War-era caves comes amid renewed tensions between NATO and Russia. Russia shares a 121.6-mile long border with Norway. The border was heavily militarized during the Cold War, and the Russian navy's Northern Fleet is in Murmansk, about 100 miles from the border.

In October, Norway's Chief of Defense, Adm. Haakon Bruun-Hanssen, told reporters that Russia has "shown that they are willing to use military force to achieve political ambitions."

The Norwegian Defense Ministry did not respond to requests to comment for this story.

10:35 Syria - Syrian Army Targeting " ISIS " Terrorist Positions Around The Clock, In The Current Offensive Towards Raqqa

10:37 #Russia has promised to protect #Kurdish fighters in #Syria in case of a ground offensive by #Turkey http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-02-18/kurds-warn-turkey-of-big-war-with-russia-if-troops-enter-syria

10:55 Turkey has reportedly shelled YPG controlled Ras Al-Ayn in Hasakah countryside Syria

11:22 US AWACS Plane reported "down" --- UNCONFIRMED UNCONFIRMED Attempting to obtain verifiable info. . . . .

ERRONEOUS Report of US AWACS crash DELETED.

11:39 Erdogan's son probed for money laundering in Italy
http://news.yahoo.com/erdogans-son-probed-money-laundering-italy-091916115.html

12:02 US Air Force Central Command has notified #Russia where its special forces are in #Syria PentagonPresSec (https://twitter.com/PentagonPresSec) says this was done "out of the abundance of safety" to keep special operators safe from Russian air strikes in Syria. http://m.military.com/daily-news/2016/02/18/us-told-russia-secret-locations-american-special-forces-in-syria.html?ESRC=todayinmil.sm

12:38 ISIS on a huge offensive to retake border town Tal Abyad; terrorist Jihadis of ISIS said to be desperate to re-open supply lines from Turkey into Syria.

1:07 Syrian Foreign Ministry: German Chancellor Merkel’s proposal for no-fly zone aims to protect terrorists

12:50 Syrian Army retakes last militant stronghold in #Latakia province

1:22 Turkey's army artillery open intense fire on YPG targets all over northern Allepo countyside

BREAKING White House: We have not determined responsibility for attacks in Turkey. (oooooh another slap in the face to Turkey ! ! !)

1:37 #Turkey army now shelling:
Tall Rifaat
Deir Jameel
Menagh
Ayn Daqnah
Maranaz
Alqamiyah
Kafr Anton
Nsiriyah
Malikiyah
Kafr Nasih
Afrin
#Syria

1:45 Turkish forces facilitated the transfer from one front to another over several nights, covertly escorting rebels as they exited Syria's Idlib governorate, traveled four hours across Turkey, and re-entered Syria to support the embattled rebel stronghold of Azaz, the sources said.

"We have been allowed to move everything from light weapons to heavy equipment, mortars and missiles and our tanks," Abu Issa, a commander in the Levant Front, the rebel group that runs the border crossing of Bab al-Salama, told Reuters, giving his alias and talking on condition of anonymity. Now, even the Jihadis and the rebels are publicly admitting that Turkey is giving them tremendous logisitial military support.

1:51 Current estimate and it is an estimate is that Turkey are putting fire in to around 20 locations. Intense incoming shells at all those locations

1:53 IRGC says its elite commando unit is on the ground in #Syria with permission of Syria govt.
http://www.radiofarda.com/content/f14_irgc_iran_syria_war/27560526.html

1:58 Russian drone downed near Syrian Turkey border

2:01 Reports #Turkey has recommenced intense shelling of SDF in northern Aleppo.

2:07 PM FLASH US Spox Kirby says Ankara attack is an open question. Rejects Turkish PM Davutoglu's "certain link w YPG" assertion. (Direct, public slap in the face to terrorist-supporting-Turkey!)

2:12 PM #Washington has informed #Russia not to attack a special #USA army force currently operating in northeast #Syria

Translation: Go bomb the fuck out of those backstabbing turks and their raghead army. We'll be watching from over here.

2:18 ISIS offensive at #Maheen ends in failure; Syrian Army recaptures https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-offensive-at-maheen-ends-in-failure/

HUMOR - Or Premonition?

https://cdn.superstation95.com/images/ErdoganInCuffsMEME.jpg

Check Back

Last modified on Thursday, 18 February 2016 18:52

mick silver

18th February 2016, 05:06 PM

Turkey: "We Have Reached the Brink of our Patience" -- RUSSIA: "We have enough preparation for war with Turkey" Post by U.S.Reporter (https://www.superstation95.com/index.php/world/author/966-usreporter) - Feb 17, 2016

https://cdn.superstation95.com/media/k2/items/cache/37d94cffab20228fab482582b7bd4773_XL.jpg

A car bombing in Ankara, Turkey, has killed at least 28 and wounded at least 61 and may be the excuse used by Turkey to send troops to Syria.
Prior to today's bombing, the situation in Syria had escalated to open talk of actual war between Turkey (and its ally, Saudi Arabia) and Russia! Yesterday afternoon, a CIA operative revealed on FOX NEWS CHANNEL that Saudi Arabia "has four nuclear bombs." It is widely believed that this revelation was made with the permission and at the instruction of Washington, and was designed to send a message to Russia, not to use tactical (battlefield) nuclear weapons if the Turks and Saudis send 350,000 ground troop to over-run Syria.
This morning (eastern US time) Turkish President Recept Erdogan described the situation this way: "Turkey has reached the brink of its patience." At the same time, an assessment by a think tank revealed "Russia has made the necessary preparations for war with Turkey."
While the mass media in the US and the West utterly failed to warn readers/viewers about the terrifying seriousness of the fighting situation in Syria, both Turkey and Russia are now at the brink of open, hot, warfare. The world is now at the point where even a mistake by one side or the other can unleash ferocious war.
Three days ago, Turkey began firing artillery shells into Syria. Syria told them to stop, Turkey refused. Russia, who is assisting Syria with its battle against Rebels and Terrorists, told Turkey to stop. Turkey said "no."
So yesterday, Russia and Turkey took the issue to the United Nations Security Council By a vote of 15 to 0, a unanimous UN Security Council resolution told Turkey to stop firing artillery into Syria.
When asked by media if Turkey would comply with the UN Security Council resolution,Turkey's permanent representative to the United Nations replied 'Turkey-related decision of the UNSC does not exist. '
For the rest of yesterday, Turkey and others who support ISIS Terrorists and Syrian Rebels, publicly called for the insertion of ground troops into Syria. Those calls were rebuked, denied or laughed-at. This was the case because now that it has been proven that Turkey and Saudi Arabia have been supplying ISIS Terrorists inside Syria, and aiding rebels in that country to overthrow its government, the world realizes that the only reason Turkey and Saudi Arabia want ground troops sent in, is because their rebel/terrorist pals in Syria are LOSING!
As of late last night, it seemd that all efforts by the Turks and Saudis to get ground troops into Syria, would fail. No one was being stupid about what's _really_) going on anymore. Then, quite conveniently and almost on cue . . . . at about 11:40 AM eastern US Time today . . .

"Terrorist" Car Bombing

A massive car bomb exploded in Turkey's Capitol, Ankara. Reports indicate over 28 people have been killed and more than 61 injured.
The target of the bombing was apparently two busloads of Turkish Army Troop-trainees.

https://cdn.superstation95.com/images/AnkaraBombing1.jpg

Before there could even be an investigation, it took less than an hour for the rhetoric from Turkish officials to begin:
Turkish security official: Initial signs indicate Kurdistan Workers' Party insurgents were behind Ankara bomb targeting military vehicles--

Ahhhhh, the Kurds; who just so happen to be the people helping Syria and Russia fight ISIS Terrorists inside Syria. Gee, what a coincidence!
Of course, this cannot possibly be a "false flag" attack to trigger public outcry and provide the Turkish politicians with an excuse to send ground troops into Syria, can it?
According to local media reports, Turk President Erdogan, has convened an emergency Cabinet Meeting over this "attack." It is widely expected his decision will be Blame the Kurds, claim that Syria is helping the Kurds, and send ground troops into Syria.
If that takes place, those ground troops will be engaged by Russia forces inside Syria, who have repeatedly warned that "If foreign ground troops enter Syria without Damascus' permission, it will be a declaration of war."
Russia means what it says; a rarity in today's world.
Hence, if Turkish troops enter Syria, and are engaged by Russia, today or tomorrow, it will likely be the hot-start of World War 3 which may result in a whole slew of us getting killed.
. . . and the mass media of the west provides no information to its people to help them see that the whole thing is a "set-up" by terrorist supporting governments like Turkey and Saudi Arabia .

UPDATE: a mere 6 hours after the bombing, Turkish authorities stated: A #Syrian refugee "Salih Necar" carried out the attack in Ankara.
Turkish daily Sözcü alleges Ankara suicide bomber is not only Syrian, but ALSO is a member of PKK affiliated #YPG, the military group assisting Syria and Russia against ISIS and the Rebels!
NOTE: The convenience of this is really quite obvious; a Syrian, a member of the PKK affiliate, YPG, which is precisely the group that Turkey has been trying to launch ground troops against inside Syria! Oh, and get this - Turkish authorities say they identified this "bomber" by his fingerprints, since all Syrian refugees were fingerprinted upon entry into Turkey.
There's just one peculiar aspect to the fingerprint claim: The Turkish authorities claim the bomber whose fingerprints they claim to have . . . was DRIVING THE CAR BOMB WHEN IT DETONATED.
There wouldn't be any fingers left for them to get prints from! The whole notion is utterly absurd. Turkey appears to be lying for the express purpose of creating an excuse to send troops into Syria.
Is anyone out there dumb enough to actually believe this story by Turkey

Glass

18th February 2016, 05:17 PM

the turkey bomb didn't make the news down here. Zip. I'm talking on line. We have dead dolphin, Pope Vs Trump, soccer riots and paleo diets make you fat. Also a woman who tarts her daughter on face book is not responsible.

Glass

18th February 2016, 08:10 PM

Can't find an embeddable video of this yet.

TOW being defeated by this anti tow system that's been mentioned before. Now this video is not really high quality so I found it difficult to see what they were aiming at but you do see where the missile eventually explodes.

The Syrians have developed and managed to mass produce Optical-Electronic Suppression Systems, so-called “birdhouses”. The purpose of these devices is to "turn-off" xenon tracers that guide anti-tank missiles.
LiveLeak for Video (http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=dce_1455832557)

What the actual target was. <image>

Actually I can't even link a still image from that site.

What the birdcage device looks like. <image>

Again can't link. will try and find or upload some that can be linked.

mick silver

19th February 2016, 05:41 PM

Time to stop pretending Saudi Arabia doesn’t have nuclear weapons
By Jeff Smith (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/onmark/) on February 19, 2016 http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/lido_957.jpgMushroom cloud that followed the confirmed nuclear flash and ionizing radiation from a neutron bomb exploded in Yemen, May 2015

…by Jeff Smith, Science Editor (http://www.veteranstoday.com/staff-writers/), Veterans Todayhttp://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/tsspike.jpgPost critical mass

The question is not that they “Saudi, Turkey, Israel” are, have and will in the future use these small tactical nuclear devices but the real question is where did a non nuclear state such as Saudi get these things and how many more do they have.
Are they being covertly provided by the US government, Israel or is this the proof of the stolen nuclear weapons covertly removed from US government stockpiles and sold off by Israel to other nations such as Saudi, Turkey, Germany, Japan, Taiwan, North / South Korea etc. (Maybe this is why that lawyer in Great Britain (Shrimpton) got locked up for talking about loose nukes too much.)
The cover story is that they “Saudi/Israeli special forces” will take them from a NATO base in Turkey. Unfortunately that story does not fly.
That would then be considered to be a direct attack on NATO prime its self. This would justify a NATO / European invasion of Syria, Saudi and Turkey directly by the US and its NATO allies. If so it will half to happen before the next presidential election and next fall’s rainy season in the Middle East.
Tanks cant drive in mud and stealth bombers don’t work when wet. It shorts out their so called “cloak of invisibility”. Maybe a Klingon Bird of Prey would work better for them. Also the Saudis don’t know how to use, maintain, repair or program an American B-61 nuclear weapon by themselves. They would require assistance. But the Israelis sure doooo!
VT tried to warn the world about the up coming nuclear events such as this only to quote Gorbachev, ” We tried to spoon feed the world communism only to just have it spit back into our own face by the very same people that we were trying to help.”
You can’t push a rope. We tried to warn the world about this danger and no one listened. The very same people that gave us nuclear 911 are at it again. This time it is WW3 so they can use it as cover to write off there collapsing economic system of fractional backing and gambling.

____________[ Editor’s note by Gordon Duff: The story below from FARS New Services in Tehran promotes systematic disinformation on behalf of the Saudi Government in an attempt to derail accusations made by Veterans Today that stick, accusations made by VT’s nuclear inspectors who don’t speculate but have access to classified intelligence on the Saudi nuclear program.
We know that the Khobar Towers explosion was nuclear but we don’t know if the device came from a Saudi stockpile. We do know that a nuclear attack on Yemen in May 2015 may have been Saudi although Israeli planes were still active over Yemen at that time.
Our sources tell us that Saudi Arabia bought its first nuclear weapons in the 1980s, large gun-type single stage weapons less than 20kt. We know that nuclear weapons from the 2nd South African program were available to Saudi Arabia, the “Johan Meyer” nukes produced there by Israel and Libya but blamed on AQ Khan of Pakistan, who was in no way involved as he told VT back in 2009.
The inventories we see evidence of that Saudi Arabia seems to have include tactical nuclear weapons and in particular, neutron bombs that only Israel is producing.]

____________From Fars NewsAnalyst: Saudi Arabia Has Nukes, Will Test Soon

http://media.farsnews.com/media/Uploaded/Files/Images/1394/11/27/13941127000352_PhotoI.jpg

TEHRAN (FNA) – Unofficial sources in Riyadh disclosed that the Saudi regime is in possession of atomic bombs, adding that the Saudi regime will carry out its first nuclear test soon.
–
Daham al-Anzi, a prominent Saudi political analyst, told the Arabic-channel of Russia Today that Riyadh has acquired atomic bombs since two years ago and will likely carry out its first nuclear test within weeks.
Asked if he is confident about the revelation, he said, “Yes, Yes! As simple as that! We have atomic bombs. It is not a piece of urgent news. The world powers know that we have the bomb and we wanted to test it if Iran (would develop nuclear weapons and) would carry out a nuclear test.”
US sources said last May that Saudi Arabia had reached out to its ally Pakistan to acquire “off-the-shelf” atomic weapons as a nuclear arms race begins to shape up with Shiite rival Iran.
“For the Saudis the moment has come,” a former US defense official told the UK’s Sunday Times at the time. “There has been a longstanding agreement in place with the Pakistanis and the House of Saud has now made the strategic decision to move forward.”
The anonymous former official said the US did not believe that “any actual weaponry has been transferred yet,” but declared that “the Saudis mean what they say and they will do what they say”.
According to the Sunday Times report, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship for decades. Saudi Arabia has given Pakistan billions of dollars in subsidized oil, while the latter has unofficially agreed to supply the Persian Gulf state with nuclear warheads.
“Nuclear weapons programs are extremely expensive and there’s no question that a lot of the funding of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program was provided by Saudi Arabia,” Lord David Owen, who served as England’s foreign secretary from 1977-1979, told the weekly publication.
“Given their close relations and close military links, it’s long been assumed that if the Saudis wanted, they would call in a commitment, moral or otherwise, for Pakistan to supply them immediately with nuclear warheads,” he added.

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mick silver

19th February 2016, 05:49 PM

Bullseye! Amazing Feats Performed by Russian Anti-Aircraft Systems
Videoclub (http://sputniknews.com/videoclub/)13:14 27.12.2015(updated 13:22 27.12.2015) Get short URL
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Russian surface-to-air missile systems in action.
This video allows you to appreciate the capabilities of Russia's cutting-edge anti-aircraft weaponry. First, a Tor-M2U short-range tactical surface-to-air missile system (NATO reporting name: SA-15 Gauntlet) successfully engages and destroys a dummy missile while driving across rough terrain at 25 kph speed (destroying the target on the first try); then an S-300V4 (NATO reporting name: SA-23 Gladiator) anti-ballistic missile system fires upon targets at nighttime.

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Read more: http://sputniknews.com/videoclub/20151227/1032358592/russia-surface-air-weapons-test.html#ixzz40fHSOPMK

mick silver

19th February 2016, 05:50 PM

Russia to initiate UN Security Council meeting over Turkey’s plans to send troops to northern SyriaBy GPD (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/admin/) on February 19, 2016

https://cdn.rt.com/files/2016.02/original/56c73976c3618874118b45d0.jpg
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova

A UN Security Council meeting is to be called at Russia’s request on Friday to discuss Ankara’s plans for a ground operation in Syria, the Russian Foreign Ministry has said.
Turkey’s actions in the region are threatening Syrian sovereignty, Moscow said, adding it would table a resolution demanding its prevention.
https://cdn.rt.com/files/2016.02/thumbnail/56c62a39c46188c0198b45f7.jpg (https://www.rt.com/news/332924-turkish-vehicles-cross-syria/)
Dozens of Turkish military vehicles cross Syria border, dig trenches – report (https://www.rt.com/news/332924-turkish-vehicles-cross-syria/)

Moscow is concerned about the escalation of tensions on the Syrian-Turkish border, and “Turkey’s announced plans to put boots on the ground in northern Syria,” Maria Zakharova, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said on Friday, adding that the situation in the region is worrying because Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) fighters are entering Syria and creating terrorist bases there.
“It undercuts efforts to launch a political settlement in the Syrian Arab Republic,” Zakharova said, announcing that Russia plans to call a Security Council meeting to discuss the situation.
A draft resolution will include demands to “end any actions that undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria, that are at odds with UN Security Council resolution 2254, as well as [interfere] with the launch of the Syrian peace process.”
In December last year, the Security Council unanimously adopted the 2254 resolution that endorsed a road map for a peace process in the Middle Eastern country. The document, adopted by members of the International Syria Support Group, outlined a nationwide ceasefire to begin in the country in parallel with a political process.
READ MORE: Turkey blames Syrian Kurds for Ankara blast, they deny responsibility, point to ISIS (https://www.rt.com/news/332848-ankara-blast-syrian-kurds/)
Turkey has been stepping up military activity in the areas with predominantly Kurdish populations, which include not just its own territories in the southeast, but also areas in northern Syria and Iraq. Earlier this week, the UNSC released a warning to Ankara over its actions in the region, urging it to comply with international law and stop shelling the Syrian Kurds.
However, after having accused forces linked with the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia of a deadly explosion in Ankara on Wednesday, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu vowed to continue the military efforts against Kurdish groups in Syria. The Kurds denied responsibility for the attack and put the blame on Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL).
The Turkish Army shelled YPG positions in northern Syria on Thursday, a Turkish security source told Reuters. The same day, dozens of Turkish military vehicles crossed into a Kurdish area in Syria’s Aleppo province, with Ankara’s troops starting to dig a trench, according to the Kurdish ANHA news agency.

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mick silver

19th February 2016, 05:51 PM

https://cdn.superstation95.com/cache/resized/2b680a949812548305f37b624b33b127.jpg Turkish Invasion of Syria ?? 100 Main Battle Tanks Deployed in Kilis, Turkey (https://www.superstation95.com/index.php/world/915)
Superstation95 has just learned Turkish military invasion of Syria is "Imminent." This will mean war between Syria/Russia and Turkey. Here is

https://cdn.superstation95.com/cache/resized/d231356424e51e66c224e0c8750cac39.jpg (https://www.superstation95.com/index.php/world/914)
SHOCK: Saudi Arabia Announces Supply of Surface-to-Air Missiles to Syrian Rebels; Shoot Down Syrian and Russian Planes! (https://www.superstation95.com/index.php/world/914)
Saudi Arabia crossed the line into open criminal activity this morning when its Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir announced the Kingdom will provide

https://cdn.superstation95.com/cache/resized/c5096bc933d9d658e675cec5bd3d10b2.jpg (https://www.superstation95.com/index.php/world/913)
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Concerned with the continuing artillery attacks and now open threats by Turkey to invade Syria, both Russia and Syria will return to the United ...

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Turkish Invasion of Syria ?? 100 Main Battle Tanks Deployed in Kilis, Turkey (https://www.superstation95.com/index.php/world/915)
Post by Newsroom
- Feb 19, 2016
Superstation95 has just learned Turkish military invasion of Syria is "Imminent." This will mean war between Syria/Russia and Turkey. Here is how the events unfolded today: Russia has ...

SHOCK: Saudi Arabia Announces Supply of Surface-to-Air Missiles to Syrian Rebels; Shoot Down Syrian and Russian Planes! (https://www.superstation95.com/index.php/world/914) Saudi Arabia crossed the line into

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mick silver

19th February 2016, 06:02 PM

Saudi Arabia Announces Supply of Surface-to-Air Missiles to Syrian Rebels; Shoot Down Syrian and Russian Planes! Post by Newsroom (https://www.superstation95.com/index.php/world/author/973-newsroom) - Feb 19, 2016

Fox News Channel's Rupert Murdoch with Saudi "Prince" Shareholder File Photo
https://cdn.superstation95.com/media/k2/items/cache/02c3690c1c0f065ff00387ae9425f29c_XL.jpg

Saudi Arabia crossed the line into open criminal activity this morning when its Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir announced the Kingdom will provide missiles to Syrian opposition groups.
Arming rebels in another country for the purpose of overthrowing its government is a criminal act.
Jubeir said that ground-to-air missiles would "allow the moderate opposition to destroy helicopters and aircraft of the (Syrian) regime" and thus "change (the regime) the balance of power in Syria."
Currently, Russian and Syrian fighter jets fly daily attacks on rebel postitions, particularly in the northwest of the country and around the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, which is now wncircled by Syrian government troops. The military superiority provided by the Russian air forces since the start of operations cannot be opposed by the rebels.
Until the Russians came to the aid of their ally, Syria -- at the request of Syria's lawfully-elected government - a stalemate existed between moderate and radical groups on the one side, and pro-government units of President Bashar Assad on the other.
"The Russian intervention will not save Assad's regime in the long term, said Jubeir. "Assad must step down to allow a political process." (Editor's Note: Why? Who is Saudi Arabia to decide for the Syrian people, who governs in Syria? Who do the Saudis think they are?)

The Saudi Foreign Minister went on to say "The other option is that the war goes on and Assad will be defeated." (Editor's Note: No, another option is that the Saudis stop supplying weapons to rebels and Jihadists and let the Syrian people decide their own fate.)

Editorial Comment: Perhaps it is time for those of us in the United States to decide whether or not to allow the House of Saud to continue ruling Saudi Arabia?
In fact, perhaps it is time to start deciding which companies within the United States, certain members of the Saudi ruling family are allowed to own. For Instance, a certain Saudi "Prince" has a small percentage ownership in FOX NEWS CHANNEL. Maybe it is time to strip him of that?
Using the same logic as the Saudi Foreign Minister, we in the US can decide do so, because the US is far more powerful than Saudi Arabia. That's what's actually taking place in the Syrian situation; several countries which are more powerful than Syria are blatantly interfering in its internal affairs.
We cannot help but wonder how the Saudi's would react if we decided to start doing things like this to them, the way they are doing such things to Syria?
While we have absolutely no plans whatsoever to do anything at this time, and we do not encourage any of our readers to do anything, the Saudis would be well advised to pray we do not decide to flex our political and financial resources.

Last modified on Friday, 19 February 2016 14:17 https://www.superstation95.com/index.php/world/914

mick silver

19th February 2016, 06:37 PM

Syrians march against planned Israeli Annexation of the Golan Heights http://nsnbc.me/2016/02/15/syrians-march-against-planned-israeli-annexation-of-the-golan-heights/

mick silver

20th February 2016, 05:15 AM

Saudi Arabia Admits it Has NUCLEAR BOMBS; Will Test Within Weeks! Post by Newsroom (https://www.superstation95.com/index.php/world/author/973-newsroom) - Feb 19, 2016

https://cdn.superstation95.com/media/k2/items/cache/64cd5fc4f5bc6730d92d5c2a957adb10_XL.jpg

In a shocking development, Saudi Arabia has now publicly admitted they possess NUCLEAR BOMBS. The bombs will protect the ground invasion of Syria by Turkey and Saudi Arabia. . . which puts the Russians in the unenviable position of having to use nuclear weapons to defend themselves and Syria.
Speaking in a television interview Dahham Al-'Anzi of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was discussing why many in the Arab world feel the need for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to be removed from power, and that a ground invasion was not only necessary, but is going to take place!
In the context of the pending invasion, Dahham Al-'Anzi outlined the missiles, planes and other war-fighting equipment the Kingdom has acquired and then revealed "We have a nuclear bomb" and asked the TV Interviewer, "Why do you think we have all these weapons?" He then answered his own question "to protect Arabs and Muslims."
Not content to have revealed this staggering information, Dahham Al-'Anzi went further and stated "We may test it within weeks."

https://cdn.superstation95.com/images/SaudisMayTestNukeWithinWeeks.jpg

The stunned TV Interviewer said "This is breaking news, I haven't heard this before" to which Dahham Al-'Anzi replied "This isn't breaking news, the super powers have known about this for awhile."

https://cdn.superstation95.com/images/SaudisSayTheSuperPowersKnowAboutTheirNukes.jpg
There is much more information coming in regards to this story, we are getting the info out as fast as we can given the intense need to verify and corroborate it before we report.
To watch the full 1m30s minute video yourself, click https://youtu.be/e-LMwVoQbS4

RUSSIAN TROOPS IN SYRIA TO BE OVER-RUN

With Saudi Arabia presently hosting military "exercises" with some 300,000 troops in the northern part of its country, and Turkey massing tanks and troops in the southern part of their country, it is becoming clear that Syria will be over-run within hours once the Saudis (and their coalition) and the Turks, strike from both the north and the south.
Russia has a policy of using tactical nuclear weapons if they are faced with being over-run.
When the ground ivasion of Syria begins -- likely within days -- Russia will have to make one of two choices:

Strike with tactical nukes to defend themselves, OR;
Be totally humiliated by being over-run by a bunch of Arab camel jockeys with filthy rags on their heads.

If Russia strikes, then it is clear that Saudi Arabia will use full-sized nuke(s) against the Russian base at Latakia and perhaps even against the country of Russia itself! In either case, if someone nukes Russian troops, it is clear Russia will strike back.
The question is, who?
Does Russia strike Riyadh, Mecca and Medina - which would rid the world of much trouble from a religion with stone age values and barbarc rituals and practices? Or does Russia strike both Saudi Arabia AND Turkey since both are attacking?
And if Russia uses tactical nukes INSIDE SYRIA, and Saudi Arabia launches from outside Syria, what will the US and NATO do?
Neither the US nor NATO want a nuclear war with Russia. No sane person wants a nuclear war with anyone!
But what will the US do? The US is in an impossible predicament:
1) If the US strikes Russia, Russia will strike back - and millions of us in both countries, die.
2) If the US fails to strike back, then no US ally will ever believe our promise to defend them!

A SET-UPIn either case, we here in the US, and our brethren in Russia, are being set up to destroy each other, by a group of Muslim fanatics. We should not fall into a trap where Christian USA and Christian Russia do battle over Muslim madmen in the Middle East.
Perhaps a better choice would be for the US, Russia and China to meet together and agree to jointly wipe out the entire Middle East in one, huge strike of intercontinental ballistic missiles. All three countries are sophisticated enough to achieve "Time-On-Target" arrival of our missiles, so all their cities detonate at precisely the same time. It would actually be merciful; they wouldn't know what hit them.
Once the radiation clears, we would go in jointly, re-establish the oil systems, and equally divide the spoils amongst ourselves.
This would wipe out a barbaric group of troublemakers who have done NOTHING but bring misery and death to the world for centuries. Remember, these people have been in that area for several thousand years yet in all that time, they never knew there was oil under them and never knew how to look for it. It wasn't until we in the west came and discovered the oil that they began to reap the benefits of the civilized world.
Our ingenuity and advanced societies enabled the Arabs to gain riches beyond the dreams of avarice, and allowed their people to become educated, live in homes instead of tents and drive cars instead of Camels. (Although there are still a few who choose to live in tents and drive Camels to this very day!)
But make no mistake, a tiger cannot change its stripes. On the surface, they dress well and speak well, but beneath the surface, their true nature and the culture it has spawned, remains the same. Greedy, shifty, corrupt, barbarians!
Want proof? How have they repaid the west for discovering the oil beneath their lands which made them rich? They engage in price-fixing to squeeze the most money out of us as they can. They recruit, train and equip barbarians to wage "Jihad" invade peaceful peoples and destroy sacred antiquities. They codify in their laws, hideous practices of beheadings, stoning, mutilation.
Let's be clear: Just because it is "law" doesn't raise it above barbarism. In that same light, just because they dress in expensive clothes, are educated in the finest schools, live in homes instead of tents, drive cars instead of Camels and enjoy all our high technology inventions, doesn't raise them from barbarism. True nature cannot be changed.
A coordinated strike by the US, Russia and China would cleanse the world of filthy, brutal, savagery. It would insure the peace for hundreds of years, and secure all of our energy needs for longer than that.
Perhaps this last item is the best option for the civilized world.
While this is not a choice that we here at a radio station can make, or carry out, we know what our choice would be if it were within our lawful power to do so. Since it is not within our lawful power, we will simply wait to see what actions are undertaken by those we vest with the lawful authority to act.

https://www.superstation95.com/index.php/world/916

Last modified on Saturday, 20 February 2016 02:03

mick silver

20th February 2016, 05:25 PM

Russia Defense Report – Feb. 20, 2016: Russian Military Grouping in Syria

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Written and produced by SF Team: J.Hawk, Daniel Deiss, Edwin Watson
There are two major unknown questions concerning the breakdown in relations between Turkey and Russia following the ambush of a Russian Su-24 bomber in the skies above Syria. The first is what turn of events prompted Turkey’s leadership to adopt a course of confrontation against Russia. The second is why this escalation did not come months sooner, when Hmeimim was far more vulnerable to Turkish attack or blockade.
When Russian aircraft first arrived at Hmeimim, the war was going badly for the Syrian government. The terrorists were able to make major advances during the prior months, and were close to threatening Damascus itself. Syrian forces were demoralized by their setbacks and suffering from shortages of equipment and ammunition. The Russian air group at that point numbered slightly more than 30 aircraft, the base had no long-range air defenses, and only a small ground contingent to protect it on the ground. The bulk of the materiel for the base and for the rearmament of the Syrian army was only beginning to arrive by Syria Express ships which were busy traversing the Bosphorus in both directions. The Russian military has not yet demonstrated its combat effectiveness or its long reach – it would do only after the air campaign reached its full tempo and began to be accompanied by cruise missile strikes and heavy bomber sorties. If Erdogan decided to launch a ground operation in Syria in September or October of 2015, when the situation presented far more tempting opportunities, Turkish forces stood a far better chance of influencing the outcome of the war in Syria than they do right now.
Several months later, the situation has changed to such an extent that Turkish intervention has almost no chance of scoring a military success. Hmeimim now hosts over 50 aircraft, including Su-27SM, Su-30SM, and Su-35S fighters which can provide effective fighter defense against Turkish incursions. It is also protected by a multi-layered air defense system which includes the S-400 high altitude, long-range missile system, Buk-M2 medium range weapons, and Pantsir-S short-range gun/missile vehicles which are capable of shooting down not only aircraft but also cruise missiles and guided bombs. Hostile aircraft would also face a barrage of electronic countermeasures that would significantly degrade their ability to target Hmeimim. The cruise missile launches by Russian naval ships and heavy bombers have demonstrated the ability to target Turkish air bases and destroy Turkish aircraft on the ground, in the event of escalation of the fighting.
Russian bases in Syria also enjoy the protection from a constant presence of a naval task force, which includes a missile cruiser armed with long-range anti-ship and anti-aircraft weapons, several anti-submarine ships, and at least one missile corvette.
On the ground, the battalion force of Russian troops is hardly the only ground protection of the Hmeimim base. Russian military assistance, including provision of heavy equipment, munitions, and military planners and advisers, has returned the Syrian Arab Army to an effective fighting condition. In addition, the Syrian army is no longer the only military force defending Syria. Thanks to Russian diplomatic efforts, several Syrian opposition groups have joined the government forces in their struggle against the extremists. Likewise the Kurdish units which in the past waged their own uncoordinated struggle against ISIS have now been fully incorporated into the Russian-led coalition in return for Syrian government’s political concessions. There is also a sizable Hezbollah and Iranian presence in Syria. Considering that none of these forces are likely to defect to Turkey in the event of Turkish invasion, and that in some cases they view Turkey as their mortal enemy, the Turkish military would likely not advance very far before suffering heavy losses at the hands of Syria’s defenders. Russian and Syrian long-range weapons now include heavy multiple rocket launchers and Tochka short-range ballistic missiles that would be deadly to Turkish armored columns advancing through narrow mountain paths under the watchful eyes of Russian drones and long-range surveillance aircraft like the Tu-214 and the Il-20.
Even the prospect of the Bosphorus blockade is not as threatening as it once seemed. Syria Express is now mainly concerned with providing consumables like munitions and spare parts to the forces fighting in Syria. In the event Bosphorus were to be blocked, these supplies could be shipped from the Baltic Sea and, in really urgent cases, by air using the traditional Caspian-Iran-Iraq-Syria air route.
In the longer term, it is essential that Russian and Syrian forces punch a corridor through ISIS territory and link up with Iraqi forces, and there are indications that once extremists around Aleppo are neutralized, the next major offensive will be launched in the direction of Raqqa. Doing so would not only break the back of ISIS, but also enable the opening of another overland supply route through the Caspian Sea and Iran. The strength of the Russia-led coalition which seems to have taken all outside observers by surprise is such that it is probably sufficient to deter Turkish military air or ground assault against Syria. While we do not yet know how this happened, it would appear that Moscow was able to outmaneuver Ankara by placing a highly effective military force right under its nose in Syria and reverse the course of the war before Ankara was able to react.
http://southfront.org/russia-defense-report-russian-military-grouping-in-syria/

mick silver

20th February 2016, 05:27 PM

Breaking: Turkey Beaten Before It Begins, Russia Outlines the Upcoming War (updated)By South Front (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/southfront/) on February 20, 2016

…from SouthFront (http://southfront.org/russia-defense-report-russian-military-grouping-in-syria/)Introduction by Gordon Duff (http://www.veteranstoday.com/staff-writers/) and Jim Hanke, Editor’s Veterans TodayWe want to thank South Front for this amazing video, perfectly timed. The Syrian government has notified us that they believe that Turkey intendeds to send an armored force into Syria on Monday. The US, Britain and France, have refused to stand behind any negotiations and have buckled under to Erdogan’s pressure by opposing Russian moves at the UN.
They failed to understand the wider threat, that Turkey is not just moving on Russia but extending its influence into Europe, rebuilding the Ottoman empire where real gains can be made, into the Caucasus, the Caspian region and the Balkans.
Thus, the refugee crisis staged entirely by Turkey is taking down the EU, peeling Greece away, collapsing it economically and politically while Turkey begins its incursions across the Aegean by air to begin, more to come.
As the situation in Ukraine increasingly destabilizes, Turkey is sending in ISIS fighters, military advisors, weapons and working closely with Kiev on the manufacture and development of biological and chemical weapons to use against not just Russia, as has been reported in New Eastern Outlook’s series, now carried by the Guardian as well, on the Lugar Lab in Tbilisi, center for Turkish bio-warfare development.
Despite NATO’s moves in the Baltic, a handful of weapons to threaten Russia, this is little more than a hollow attempt to bolster what remains of European unity in the face of political moves to the extremist right, laying the ground for not just Brexit but the “Balkanization” of more than just the Balkans.

____________Additional commentary from VT Military Editor, Colonel Jim Hanke, US Army Special Forces (ret)You may have this a little wrong- the Turks have enough combat power to go thru Syria to the Jordan/Saudi in about two weeks, even with the Russian presence in Syria. without going into why, the thing that is stopping them from doing so is the 190K person exercise in the south of Russia that started a couple weeks ago.
Turkey would not last a month with that force invading from the North. The Turks know that, and all other strategists do, too. Ask the Russians, they will confirm that.
Nukes complicate the issue, but both sides can exist on the nuke battlefield. Its the rest of the country that may not. The use of small tactical nuclear weapons is possible as they were used in the past. What you put out is good propaganda and will effect the politics near range. JH.

____________http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/1032359198-640x282.jpgThere are two major unknown questions concerning the breakdown in relations between Turkey and Russia following the ambush of a Russian Su-24 bomber in the skies above Syria. The first is what turn of events prompted Turkey’s leadership to adopt a course of confrontation against Russia. The second is why this escalation did not come months sooner, when Hmeimim was far more vulnerable to Turkish attack or blockade.
When Russian aircraft first arrived at Hmeimim, the war was going badly for the Syrian government. The terrorists were able to make major advances during the prior months, and were close to threatening Damascus itself. Syrian forces were demoralized by their setbacks and suffering from shortages of equipment and ammunition.
The Russian air group at that point numbered slightly more than 30 aircraft, the base had no long-range air defenses, and only a small ground contingent to protect it on the ground. The bulk of the materiel for the base and for the rearmament of the Syrian army was only beginning to arrive by Syria Express ships which were busy traversing the Bosphorus in both directions.
The Russian military has not yet demonstrated its combat effectiveness or its long reach – it would do only after the air campaign reached its full tempo and began to be accompanied by cruise missile strikes and heavy bomber sorties. If Erdogan decided to launch a ground operation in Syria in September or October of 2015, when the situation presented far more tempting opportunities, Turkish forces stood a far better chance of influencing the outcome of the war in Syria than they do right now.
Several months later, the situation has changed to such an extent that Turkish intervention has almost no chance of scoring a military success. Hmeimim now hosts over 50 aircraft, including Su-27SM, Su-30SM, and Su-35S fighters which can provide effective fighter defense against Turkish incursions.
It is also protected by a multi-layered air defense system which includes the S-400 high altitude, long-range missile system, Buk-M2 medium range weapons, and Pantsir-S short-range gun/missile vehicles which are capable of shooting down not only aircraft but also cruise missiles and guided bombs.
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/1016764632-1-320x173.jpg
Hostile aircraft would also face a barrage of electronic countermeasures that would significantly degrade their ability to target Hmeimim. The cruise missile launches by Russian naval ships and heavy bombers have demonstrated the ability to target Turkish air bases and destroy Turkish aircraft on the ground, in the event of escalation of the fighting.
Russian bases in Syria also enjoy the protection from a constant presence of a naval task force, which includes a missile cruiser armed with long-range anti-ship and anti-aircraft weapons, several anti-submarine ships, and at least one missile corvette.
On the ground, the battalion force of Russian troops is hardly the only ground protection of the Hmeimim base. Russian military assistance, including provision of heavy equipment, munitions, and military planners and advisers, has returned the Syrian Arab Army to an effective fighting condition. In addition, the Syrian army is no longer the only military force defending Syria.
Thanks to Russian diplomatic efforts, several Syrian opposition groups have joined the government forces in their struggle against the extremists. Likewise the Kurdish units which in the past waged their own uncoordinated struggle against ISIS have now been fully incorporated into the Russian-led coalition in return for Syrian government’s political concessions.
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/1027670314-320x173.jpgA good defense requires not only layering but lots of flexibility

There is also a sizable Hezbollah and Iranian presence in Syria. Considering that none of these forces are likely to defect to Turkey in the event of Turkish invasion, and that in some cases they view Turkey as their mortal enemy, the Turkish military would likely not advance very far before suffering heavy losses at the hands of Syria’s defenders.
Russian and Syrian long-range weapons now include heavy multiple rocket launchers and Tochka short-range ballistic missiles that would be deadly to Turkish armored columns advancing through narrow mountain paths under the watchful eyes of Russian drones and long-range surveillance aircraft like the Tu-214 and the Il-20.
Even the prospect of the Bosphorus blockade is not as threatening as it once seemed. Syria Express is now mainly concerned with providing consumables like munitions and spare parts to the forces fighting in Syria. In the event Bosphorus were to be blocked, these supplies could be shipped from the Baltic Sea and, in really urgent cases, by air using the traditional Caspian-Iran-Iraq-Syria air route.
In the longer term, it is essential that Russian and Syrian forces punch a corridor through ISIS territory and link up with Iraqi forces, and there are indications that once extremists around Aleppo are neutralized, the next major offensive will be launched in the direction of Raqqa. Doing so would not only break the back of ISIS, but also enable the opening of another overland supply route through the Caspian Sea and Iran.
The strength of the Russia-led coalition which seems to have taken all outside observers by surprise is such that it is probably sufficient to deter Turkish military air or ground assault against Syria.
While we do not yet know how this happened, it would appear that Moscow was able to outmaneuver Ankara by placing a highly effective military force right under its nose in Syria and reverse the course of the war before Ankara was able to re

Related Posts:

SouthFront: Turkey’s Military Intervention to Syria (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/10/southfront-turkeys-military-intervention-to-syria/)
Sputnik: Turkey Planning Military Invasion in Syria – Russian Defense Ministry (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/04/sputnik-turkey-planning-military-invasion-in-syria-russian-defense-ministry/)
SouthFront: Syria battlespace – Dec. 9, 2015 (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2015/12/09/southfront-syria-battlespace-dec-9-2015/)
SouthFront: Syria-Iraq battlespace, Dec. 8, 2015 (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2015/12/08/southfront-syria-iraq-battlespace-dec-8-2015/)
SouthFront: Syria battlespace, Dec. 7, 2015 (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2015/12/07/southfront-syria-battlespace-dec-7-2015/)

mick silver

20th February 2016, 05:28 PM

Breaking: Turkey Beaten Before It Begins, Russia Outlines the Upcoming War (updated)By South Front (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/southfront/) on February 20, 2016

…from SouthFront (http://southfront.org/russia-defense-report-russian-military-grouping-in-syria/)Introduction by Gordon Duff (http://www.veteranstoday.com/staff-writers/) and Jim Hanke, Editor’s Veterans TodayWe want to thank South Front for this amazing video, perfectly timed. The Syrian government has notified us that they believe that Turkey intendeds to send an armored force into Syria on Monday. The US, Britain and France, have refused to stand behind any negotiations and have buckled under to Erdogan’s pressure by opposing Russian moves at the UN.
They failed to understand the wider threat, that Turkey is not just moving on Russia but extending its influence into Europe, rebuilding the Ottoman empire where real gains can be made, into the Caucasus, the Caspian region and the Balkans.
Thus, the refugee crisis staged entirely by Turkey is taking down the EU, peeling Greece away, collapsing it economically and politically while Turkey begins its incursions across the Aegean by air to begin, more to come.
As the situation in Ukraine increasingly destabilizes, Turkey is sending in ISIS fighters, military advisors, weapons and working closely with Kiev on the manufacture and development of biological and chemical weapons to use against not just Russia, as has been reported in New Eastern Outlook’s series, now carried by the Guardian as well, on the Lugar Lab in Tbilisi, center for Turkish bio-warfare development.
Despite NATO’s moves in the Baltic, a handful of weapons to threaten Russia, this is little more than a hollow attempt to bolster what remains of European unity in the face of political moves to the extremist right, laying the ground for not just Brexit but the “Balkanization” of more than just the Balkans.

____________Additional commentary from VT Military Editor, Colonel Jim Hanke, US Army Special Forces (ret)You may have this a little wrong- the Turks have enough combat power to go thru Syria to the Jordan/Saudi in about two weeks, even with the Russian presence in Syria. without going into why, the thing that is stopping them from doing so is the 190K person exercise in the south of Russia that started a couple weeks ago.
Turkey would not last a month with that force invading from the North. The Turks know that, and all other strategists do, too. Ask the Russians, they will confirm that.
Nukes complicate the issue, but both sides can exist on the nuke battlefield. Its the rest of the country that may not. The use of small tactical nuclear weapons is possible as they were used in the past. What you put out is good propaganda and will effect the politics near range. JH.

____________http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/1032359198-640x282.jpgThere are two major unknown questions concerning the breakdown in relations between Turkey and Russia following the ambush of a Russian Su-24 bomber in the skies above Syria. The first is what turn of events prompted Turkey’s leadership to adopt a course of confrontation against Russia. The second is why this escalation did not come months sooner, when Hmeimim was far more vulnerable to Turkish attack or blockade.
When Russian aircraft first arrived at Hmeimim, the war was going badly for the Syrian government. The terrorists were able to make major advances during the prior months, and were close to threatening Damascus itself. Syrian forces were demoralized by their setbacks and suffering from shortages of equipment and ammunition.
The Russian air group at that point numbered slightly more than 30 aircraft, the base had no long-range air defenses, and only a small ground contingent to protect it on the ground. The bulk of the materiel for the base and for the rearmament of the Syrian army was only beginning to arrive by Syria Express ships which were busy traversing the Bosphorus in both directions.
The Russian military has not yet demonstrated its combat effectiveness or its long reach – it would do only after the air campaign reached its full tempo and began to be accompanied by cruise missile strikes and heavy bomber sorties. If Erdogan decided to launch a ground operation in Syria in September or October of 2015, when the situation presented far more tempting opportunities, Turkish forces stood a far better chance of influencing the outcome of the war in Syria than they do right now.
Several months later, the situation has changed to such an extent that Turkish intervention has almost no chance of scoring a military success. Hmeimim now hosts over 50 aircraft, including Su-27SM, Su-30SM, and Su-35S fighters which can provide effective fighter defense against Turkish incursions.
It is also protected by a multi-layered air defense system which includes the S-400 high altitude, long-range missile system, Buk-M2 medium range weapons, and Pantsir-S short-range gun/missile vehicles which are capable of shooting down not only aircraft but also cruise missiles and guided bombs.
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/1016764632-1-320x173.jpg
Hostile aircraft would also face a barrage of electronic countermeasures that would significantly degrade their ability to target Hmeimim. The cruise missile launches by Russian naval ships and heavy bombers have demonstrated the ability to target Turkish air bases and destroy Turkish aircraft on the ground, in the event of escalation of the fighting.
Russian bases in Syria also enjoy the protection from a constant presence of a naval task force, which includes a missile cruiser armed with long-range anti-ship and anti-aircraft weapons, several anti-submarine ships, and at least one missile corvette.
On the ground, the battalion force of Russian troops is hardly the only ground protection of the Hmeimim base. Russian military assistance, including provision of heavy equipment, munitions, and military planners and advisers, has returned the Syrian Arab Army to an effective fighting condition. In addition, the Syrian army is no longer the only military force defending Syria.
Thanks to Russian diplomatic efforts, several Syrian opposition groups have joined the government forces in their struggle against the extremists. Likewise the Kurdish units which in the past waged their own uncoordinated struggle against ISIS have now been fully incorporated into the Russian-led coalition in return for Syrian government’s political concessions.
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/1027670314-320x173.jpgA good defense requires not only layering but lots of flexibility

There is also a sizable Hezbollah and Iranian presence in Syria. Considering that none of these forces are likely to defect to Turkey in the event of Turkish invasion, and that in some cases they view Turkey as their mortal enemy, the Turkish military would likely not advance very far before suffering heavy losses at the hands of Syria’s defenders.
Russian and Syrian long-range weapons now include heavy multiple rocket launchers and Tochka short-range ballistic missiles that would be deadly to Turkish armored columns advancing through narrow mountain paths under the watchful eyes of Russian drones and long-range surveillance aircraft like the Tu-214 and the Il-20.
Even the prospect of the Bosphorus blockade is not as threatening as it once seemed. Syria Express is now mainly concerned with providing consumables like munitions and spare parts to the forces fighting in Syria. In the event Bosphorus were to be blocked, these supplies could be shipped from the Baltic Sea and, in really urgent cases, by air using the traditional Caspian-Iran-Iraq-Syria air route.
In the longer term, it is essential that Russian and Syrian forces punch a corridor through ISIS territory and link up with Iraqi forces, and there are indications that once extremists around Aleppo are neutralized, the next major offensive will be launched in the direction of Raqqa. Doing so would not only break the back of ISIS, but also enable the opening of another overland supply route through the Caspian Sea and Iran.
The strength of the Russia-led coalition which seems to have taken all outside observers by surprise is such that it is probably sufficient to deter Turkish military air or ground assault against Syria.
While we do not yet know how this happened, it would appear that Moscow was able to outmaneuver Ankara by placing a highly effective military force right under its nose in Syria and reverse the course of the war before Ankara was able to react.

________
Related Posts:

SouthFront: Turkey’s Military Intervention to Syria (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/10/southfront-turkeys-military-intervention-to-syria/)
Sputnik: Turkey Planning Military Invasion in Syria – Russian Defense Ministry (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/04/sputnik-turkey-planning-military-invasion-in-syria-russian-defense-ministry/)
SouthFront: Syria battlespace – Dec. 9, 2015 (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2015/12/09/southfront-syria-battlespace-dec-9-2015/)
SouthFront: Syria-Iraq battlespace, Dec. 8, 2015 (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2015/12/08/southfront-syria-iraq-battlespace-dec-8-2015/)
SouthFront: Syria battlespace, Dec. 7, 2015 (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2015/12/07/southfront-syria-battlespace-dec-7-2015/)

mick silver

20th February 2016, 05:40 PM

Map: Complete Encirclement In East Aleppohttp://southfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Aleppo-0-1024x574.jpg (http://southfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Aleppo-0.jpg)

Map provided by Peto Lucem (https://twitter.com/PetoLucem)
Earlier today Al-Masdar reported, (https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/tiger-forces-complete-the-east-aleppo-encirclement-800-isis-fighters-trapped/) the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) is falling apart in the east Aleppo countryside after weeks of fending off the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and their allies from taking the strategic Aleppo Thermal Power Plant.
Over the course of 72 hours, the Syrian Arab Army’s “Tiger Forces” – backed by Liwaa Suqour Al-Sahra (Desert Hawks Brigade) and the Cheetah Forces “Team 3” – have been steadily advancing west along the imperative Aleppo-Raqqa Highway in order to complete the east Aleppo encirclement.
However, the ISIS terrorists in the Al-Bab Plateau and the Al-Safira Plains were not going to concede any territory to the government forces without a violent battle.
Determined to complete the encirclement, the Tiger Forces launched a vital assault to capture the last village located between their positions along the Aleppo-Raqqa Highway and the Jibreen District of Aleppo City.
The assault proved successful as the Syrian Armed Forces imposed full control over Umm Turaykiyah in the Al-Safira Plains. As a result, 800 ISIS terrorists that were fighting the Syrian Armed Forces at the strategic city of Al-Safira and its nearby village of Tal ‘Aran found themselves encircled for the first time in this war.
The 800 ISIS terrorists have no outlet to retreat and they have no available supply lines; this means, they will either surrender to the Syrian Armed Forces or fight till the death.

Glass

20th February 2016, 05:57 PM

I'm getting the feeling that the US/IS are trying to encourage Turkey to go into Syria only to leave them hanging when they do. Where does Turkey fit into the plans for the greater Israel?

I think if they can't break Syria they will just break Turkey, come back to Syria later.

mick silver

20th February 2016, 06:02 PM

22 Turkish Air Force pilots killed
1527 67 0http://southfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/221.jpg
Original published by Zvezda (http://tvzvezda.ru/news/vstrane_i_mire/content/201602190529-bh08.htm); translation by J.Hawk
According to Turkish Ulke TV station, the victims of the February 17 terrorist attack in Ankara include 22 Turkish Air Force pilots, out of 28 total fatalities.
Turkish government has not issued an official confirmation but, according to Turkish media, Erdogan is deliberately trying to conceal that fact.
The explosion took place next to the Turkish Armed Forces headquarters building, as well as the parliament and government buildings. The fatalities included 26 military and 2 civilians. Another 60 people were wounded.
No terrorist organization accepted responsibility.

Jewboo

20th February 2016, 06:10 PM

...the plans for the greater Israel?

http://www.inspiretochangeworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/ISIS-is-working-on-Mossad-CIA-plan-to-Create-Greater-Israel-2-777x437.jpg

So-called ISIS has never attacked any jews in Israel or anywhere else.

The so-called Arab League hasn't lifted a finger to liberate Palestinians from jew occupation.

Look at the map to see how the current shitshow in Syria is great for Greater Israel.

Meanwhile...Israeli military hasn't even spanked a single ISIS boogy man.

mick silver

20th February 2016, 06:13 PM

dog an pony show

mick silver

20th February 2016, 06:29 PM

BBC Report Explains How US & UK Weapons Flow To Al-Qaida & Other Extremists In Syria

Source: Shadowproof (https://shadowproof.com/2016/02/20/bbc-report-explains-how-us-uk-weapons-flow-to-al-qaida-other-extremists-in-syria/)

Published in partnership with MintPress News (http://www.mintpressnews.com/bbc-investigation-exposes-western-aid-to-syrian-rebels-as-wal-mart-for-extremists/213992/).
AUSTIN, Texas — Western weapons and equipment flow freely between the so-called “moderate” rebels in Syria and their close allies from extremist groups like al-Qaida, according to an investigation from a BBC reporter.
In a Dec. 17 episode (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06s0qy9) of the BBC Radio series “The Report,” investigative journalist Peter Oborne documented disturbing evidence that the United Kingdom and United States continue to support the the Syrian opposition, particularly the Free Syrian Army, despite ample evidence that they work closely with extremist groups NATO has traditionally thought of as enemies.
Oborne reported that at least two Westerners who were accused of aiding extremist groups in the region, found their charges rapidly dropped when they argued that by seeking to destabilize Syria and depose its president, Bashar Assad, they’d fought on the same side as the U.K.
He also explained how the U.S. has aided al-Qaida’s efforts to “rebrand” its Syrian branch, the Nusra Front, as a moderate group able to be safely financed and “managed” by the U.S.
As Oborne noted, government officials as high-ranking as the vice president have admitted that ”[t]he United States and al-Qaida are on the same side, at least when it comes to fighting Assad.”
Western aid becomes ‘a sort of Wal-Mart’ for extremistsTo explain how Western military weapons and equipment end up in the hands of extremist groups in Syria, Oborne invoked the origins of al-Qaida in the 1989 invasion of Afghanistan by Russia, and the Afghan rebel groups and foreign “mujahideen” fighters from Saudi Arabia and Yemen, who were secretly backed by the West.
“What we saw in Afghanistan 30 years ago was that the West didn’t directly arm the extremist groups, some of which were to become al-Qaida,” Alastair Crooke, a British diplomat and former intelligence analyst for MI6, the U.K.’s primary foreign intelligence agency, told Oborne.
Rather than directly supplying weapons to these rebels, Crooke explained, “They used the Pakistani intelligence service, and also the Saudi Arabian intelligence service.”
He recalled that when he complained to U.S. intelligence agents about the nature of their allies, they agreed, retorting: “Well, yes, Alastair, but these groups you’re complaining about sure kick Communist ass.”
Of course, after repelling Russia from Afghanistan, these rebel groups turned on the West and became al-Qaida, a source of multiple devastating terrorist attacks, including those carried out by former leader Osama bin Laden.
With Western military aid once again flowing from those labeled “moderate” rebels and into the hands of extremists, Crooke said he sees history repeating itself: “I said at the beginning of what’s happening in Syria that this is going to be worse. We’re going to do exactly the same thing and that is exactly what’s happened.”
“The West does not actually hand the weapons to al-Qaida — let alone to ISIS,” Crooke continued. “But the system they’ve constructed leads precisely to that end.”
“The weapons conduit that the West gave to the FSA is understood to be a sort of Wal-Mart that the radical groups can take weapons and use to fight Assad. The weapons migrate along the line to the more radical elements.”
Aid to rebels leaves UK government repeatedly ‘embarrassed’ in courtTo corroborate these claims, Oborne examined the case of Bherlin Gildo, a Swedish national who had traveled to join Syrian rebels during the battle for Aleppo that began in 2012. He was arrested in the U.K. in October 2014 and charged with attending terrorist training camps and possessing terrorist intelligence.
As Richard Norton-Taylor noted (http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jun/01/trial-swedish-man-accused-terrorism-offences-collapse-bherlin-gildo) in The Guardian in June 2015, the prosecution’s case “collapsed … after it became clear Britain’s security and intelligence agencies would have been deeply embarrassed had a trial gone ahead.”
“His lawyers argued that British intelligence agencies were supporting the same Syrian opposition groups as he was, and were party to a secret operation providing weapons and non-lethal help to the groups, including the Free Syrian Army,” Norton-Taylor continued.
Speaking to Oborne, Gareth Peirce, Gildo’s legal counsel, further detailed what Gildo saw in Syria:

Mr. Gildo’s own observation is that there’d be trucks coming in, people referred to them as NATO trucks, coming in from Turkey. The Free Syrian Army would unload them and ask for assistance in unloading. And the weapons would be handed out generally, without any specificity as to the exact recipient.
Gildo’s legal team argued in court that to prosecute Gildo was “abusive” because both he and the U.K. government were fighting to topple Assad.
Publicly, the British government stated it was only supplying rebels with “non-lethal” aid like armored vehicles. Gildo’s charges were dropped when his counsel began pushing for evidence disclosure that would have suggested the government had supplied “far more,” Oborne suggested.
In a strikingly similar case, Moazzam Begg, who had previously been imprisoned by the U.S. government at the Bagram Theater Internment Facility in Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba, was arrested again in 2014. Despite assurances he’d received from British security services that he could travel abroad unimpeded, he faced seven charges related to aiding terrorists in Syria.
Begg insisted he had traveled to Syria only to organize medical training to be used to defend the civilian population. His charges were dropped in October 2014 (http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-29442623) after it became clear that, as Oborne described it, “If he was guilty of terrorism, so was the British state.”
The journalist emphasized:

The British could not have been unaware that they are sending non-lethal aid to the FSA, who are clearly collaborating and sharing resources with the various Islamist groups, there can be no doubt about that.
In December 2013, U.S. and U.K. aid to the FSA was temporarily halted (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-25331241) in the wake of reports that extremist groups were seizing “moderate” bases and equipment warehouses.
https://shadowproof.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Syria-Aleppo-FSA_rebels_hold_a_planning_session-VOA-News-Scott-Bobb-PD-Wikimedia-1024x576.jpg Free Syrian Army soldiers hold a planning session in a bombed-out building during the Battle of Aleppo on October 19, 2012. (Wikimedia Commons / Voice of America / Scott Bobb)
Moderate rebels ‘integrate themselves operationally’ with al-Qaida during battlesRobert Ford was the U.S. ambassador to Syria from 2010 to 2014 before retiring from politics. Since then, he’s been outspoken in his criticism of Obama’s foreign policy, including several statements in which he’s admitted that the ”moderate” rebels the U.S. supports are actually allied with al-Qaida (http://www.mintpressnews.com/213352-2/213352/) and Syrian groups affiliated with Daesh (an Arabic acronym for the group commonly known as ISIS or ISIL).
He told Oborne that even though the FSA turned into an equipment pipeline for jihadi groups, “that doesn’t mean it was a deliberate policy.”
He recalled being dismayed by intelligence reports showing the collaboration in the days before his retirement:

We were very unhappy when one of the commanders of the Free Syrian Army, a colonel I had met, appeared in a picture standing next to a jihadi commander, after they all fought together in a coordinated operation that took a Syrian air base in northwestern Syria.
But the FSA commander told Ford, “it’s not your business” because his group had no choice but to ally with groups like the Nusra Front due to the lack of aid from the U.S.
Despite the evidence of collaboration and the repeated failure of rebel groups both to topple the Assad regime and to resist the temptation to defect to extremism, the U.S. and U.K. continued to pursue policies of aiding rebels. In August, after spending millions on training, the U.S. had only produced a few dozen rebel fighters (http://www.mintpressnews.com/tiny-force-of-moderate-syrian-rebels-trained-with-us-millions-scatter-on-first-mission/208534/), who almost immediately scattered when they encountered hostility from the Nusra Front. In a separate September incident, another group of U.S.-backed rebels gave a quarter of their equipment to the al-Qaida affiliate (http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-usa-equipment-idUSKCN0RP2HO20150926) before scattering or defecting.
“Schemes for training moderate rebels have a habit of going wrong, and never more so than when the CIA is involved,” Oborne reported.
Charles Lister, a researcher for the Brookings Institution who has personally interviewed over 100 Syrian rebels, told Oborne that the FSA is just the latest in a series of rebel groups supported by the U.S. and its allies.
For example, Lister explained that the U.S. supported the Syria Revolutionaries Front from late 2013 until “they were wholeheartedly militarily defeated by Al-Nusra” in July 2014. Dozens defected to the Nusra Front (http://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-nusra-idUSKBN0IL2QT20141101), while the remainder fled into the Syrian countryside, allowing the al-Qaida affiliate to collect their equipment.
Oborne noted that some “CIA-supported groups have been more successful” at resisting al-Qaida ”while others fought alongside them.”
In March 2015, the “The Army of Conquest,” a coalition led by the Nusra Front, captured the city of Idlib from Syrian government forces. According to Lister, during the battle the FSA received an order from a Turkish military control room that’s supported by the West to “integrate themselves operationally in Idlib” with al-Qaida.
In other words, these “moderate” rebels fought side-by-side with the Nusra Front in combat, as if they were one force, and they did so under direct orders from the allies of the West.
‘Our biggest problem is our allies’In October 2014, Vice President Joe Biden openly admitted that military aid had gone to extremist groups in the name of toppling the Assad government. However, he drew widespread criticism because he tried to shift the blame from the U.S. to Washington’s Middle Eastern allies.
“Our biggest problem is our allies,” he told (http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2014/10/07/bidens-apology-hides-the-truth) an audience at the Harvard Kennedy School, continuing:

The Turks … The Saudis, the Emiratis, etc. What were they doing? They were so determined to take down Assad and essentially have a proxy Sunni-Shia war. What did they do?
They poured hundreds and millions of dollars and tens and thousands of tons of weapons into anyone who would fight against Assad. Except that the people who were being supplied were al-Nusra [the Nusra Front] and al-Qaida and the extremist elements of jihadis coming from other parts of the world. Now you think I’m exaggerating. Take a look –

Although Biden soon called to personally apologize (http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/05/politics/isis-biden-erdogan-apology/) to the leaders of Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, Oborne noted that “his words have gone global” and exposed the extreme measures the West and its allies are willing to take to bring about regime change in Syria.
“Biden’s apology hides the truth,” wrote Turkish journalist Tulin Daloglu in an Oct. 6, 2014 analysis (http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/10/turkey-united-states-biden-erdogan-middle-east-harvard.html) for Middle Eastern news source al-Monitor, adding that he’d only apologized “to keep Turkey as part of the coalition.”
As it became clear that only extremist groups like the Nusra Front have a hope of defeating Assad, the U.S. and U.K. began working with the group to make it appear more mainstream and less extreme.
“Increasingly now, there appears to be a recognition that al-Nusra is not your typical al-Qaida affiliate,” Lister told Oborne. “Al-Nusra can be dealt with. … They are someone we can try and manage.”
While Osama bin Laden had to communicate by smuggled videotapes, Abu Mohammad al-Julani, the leader of the Nusra Front, “is becoming an accomplished media performer” and holding press conferences, according to Oborne. In Arabic-language interviews with Al-Jazeera that the journalist quoted, the leader of the Nusra Front even promised not to use Syria as a base for international jihad after defeating Assad.
“The Syrian branch of al-Qaida remains a murderous organization, but it is trying to present a human face,” Oborne said.
Lister agreed, noting that the Nusra Front is playing “a very long game — presenting themselves as support to a repressed community.” Oborne added that one translation of the group’s name is “support front,” a reflection of its attempt to appear as kinder, gentler extremists.
Just as bin Laden made allies among the civilian populace by building roads in Pakistan (http://www.mintpressnews.com/tbt-osama-bin-laden-road-builder-and-cia-asset/209622/), Oborne reported that the Nusra Front made friends by taking over Aleppo’s bakeries and cutting prices in half. By contrast, the FSA had habitually taken most of the bakeries’ product for its soldiers.
While Oborne said his investigation found “no evidence that Britain or America is deliberately supporting al-Qaida, war notoriously creates strange bedfellows.”
Still, as Oborne noted, the civil war in Syria is widely considered a proxy war (http://www.mintpressnews.com/in-syria-us-ditches-diplomacy-to-maintain-absurd-regime-change-policy/209406/) between many factions, including Saudi Arabia and Russia, and Russia and the U.S. It’s also viewed as a conflict that’s heavily fueled by Saudi Arabia’s support for jihadis (http://www.mintpressnews.com/u-s-relies-heavily-on-saudi-money-to-support-syrian-rebels/213179/). Despite supporting terrorist movements both financially and via the promotion ofWahhabism (http://www.mintpressnews.com/MyMPN/france-saudi-arabia-the-origins-of-isis/4782/), an extreme form of Islam, the Gulf kingdom remains a key ally that purchases billions in weapons from the U.S. (http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/2015/10/22/Why-US-Selling-Saudi-Arabia-13-Billion-Worth-New-Weapons) and the U.K. (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/uk-has-sold-56bn-of-military-hardware-to-saudi-arabia-under-david-cameron-research-reveals-a6797861.html) every year.
Ultimately, Oborne concluded: “Anyone who knows their history shouldn’t be too surprised to learn that Britain and the West have ended up on the same side as the jihadis.”
The post BBC Report Explains How US & UK Weapons Flow To Al-Qaida & Other Extremists In Syria (https://shadowproof.com/2016/02/20/bbc-report-explains-how-us-uk-weapons-flow-to-al-qaida-other-extremists-in-syria/) appeared first on Shadowproof (https://shadowproof.com/).

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mick silver

20th February 2016, 06:39 PM

Obama Buckles Under to Erdogan Blackmail, World War NearsBy GPD (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/admin/) on February 20, 2016
Turkish intelligence supplying sarin gas, bioweapons to ISIS prior to upcoming invasions of Syria
https://cdn.rt.com/files/2016.02/original/56c7ee1ac361884b478b4577.jpg

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) shakes hands with US President Barak Obama © Ozan Kose / AFP

1.1K3
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The US president has sided with Turkey and warned the Syrian Kurdish militia not to seize more territory in Syria to avoid upsetting Ankara or the so-called “moderate” opposition. Obama voiced support for Erdogan against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party.
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In a long phone conversation that lasted an hour and twenty minutes, Obama told (https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/02/19/readout-presidents-call-president-recep-tayyip-erdogan-turkey) his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan that the US has an“unwavering commitment” to Turkey’s national security.
Obama said he is “concerned” about the Syrian Army’s and Kurdish fighters’ gains in northern Syria as he “urgently called for a halt to actions that heighten tensions with Turkey and with moderate opposition forces in northern Syria,” according to a statement from the White House.
The US president stressed that the ongoing advance of Syrian armed forces and Kurdish militia, with support from the Russian Air Force, could “undermine our collective efforts in northern Syria to degrade and defeat ISIL.”
While advising Erdogan to show “reciprocal restraint” and avoid shelling northern Syria where Ankara is engaging Kurds, Obama stressed that “YPG forces should not seek to exploit circumstances in this area to seize additional territory.”
https://cdn.rt.com/files/2016.02/thumbnail/56bf9324c3618892508b45de.jpg (https://www.rt.com/news/332389-kerry-lavrov-syria-cooperation-us/)
Lavrov, Kerry discuss concrete steps on military cooperation in Syria in ‘excellent’ Munich meeting (https://www.rt.com/news/332389-kerry-lavrov-syria-cooperation-us/)
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At the same time both leaders called on Moscow and Damascus to halt airstrikes against what they call “moderate opposition forces.” Russia has on numerous occasions denied striking civilian targets, and has repeatedly offered its air support to opposition fighters.
Russia’s Foreign and Defense Ministries have also repeatedly asked Washington to provide a list of the groups it considers “moderate”enough. The US also ignored calls to share intelligence on Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) positions or to join a wider coalition of an anti-terrorist force.
While the Kurdish groups, supported by the United States in the fight against IS in northern Syria, are considered one of the most effective ground forces in fighting jihadists in the area, Ankara regards them as terrorists.
Vowing retaliation in both Syria and Iraq for the Ankara bombing earlier this week, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu promised to continue to bomb the Kurds, including PKK bases in northern Iraq and YPG positions in northern Syria. Ankara also made it clear that it expects cooperation from its NATO allies to assist Ankara in this fight. Following the bombing in Ankara, Erdogan promised to hunt the perpetrators“everywhere” possible.
Prior to speaking with Obama, Erdogan announced that American weapons were being used against civilians by the YPG. The State Department has refuted the claims, with spokesman Mark Toner saying: “We have also seen no evidence to substantiate the claim that the YPG is somehow smuggling US weapons to the PKK.”
US-Russia talks on Syria peace ‘serious, constructive’ – KerryEarlier in the day, Washington rejected a Russian draft resolution at the UN Security Council condemning any plans for foreign military intervention in Syria. Ambassador Samantha Power even accused Moscow of trying to “distract the world”with its resolution.
US Secretary of State John Kerry said the discussions with Moscow on the ceasefire in Syria are “near-constant” and have been “serious and so far constructive.”
“Everyone recognizes the complexity of this endeavor, and there is certainly a lot more work to do. These discussions have been serious and so far constructive, with a few tough issues still to resolve,” Kerry said in London as quoted by Reuters.
He has been in contact with the US Syria team, which is in Geneva and said the negotiations have been ongoing for the past 36 hours.
https://cdn.rt.com/files/2016.02/thumbnail/56c78eacc3618872118b4622.jpg (https://www.rt.com/news/333042-syria-sovereignty-un-resolution/)
US, France say Russia’s draft resolution on Syrian sovereignty has ‘no future’ (https://www.rt.com/news/333042-syria-sovereignty-un-resolution/)

“Working out modalities for a cessation of hostilities in a situation like Syria is a highly technical and detailed process; and that’s why our teams are still at it. We want this process to be sustainable, and should all participants prove willing to really sit down and work this out, we can get to a cessation of hostilities.”
Kerry briefly stopped in London en route to Jordan where he is to discuss Syria with King Abdullah over the weekend.
The proximity talks launched in Geneva in February have been delayed with an indefinite date of restart, according to UN special envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura. On Friday, de Mistura’s office said it would provide a new date for the meeting in Geneva “as soon as possible.”
De Mistura told Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet that the peace talks won’t resume in Geneva on February 25 as he had hoped. He said he can’t “realistically” get the parties in the Syrian conflict back to negotiations by that time. However, he added that he hopes the parties will gather “soon.”
“We need real talks about peace, not just talks about talks. Now the Americans and Russians must sit down and agree on a concrete plan on the cessation of hostilities,” he said in the interview on Thursday.
At the beginning of February, the United Nations temporarily suspended peace talks aimed at resolving Syria’s five-year civil war. The UN said the process was to be resumed on February 25 and called on the sides involved to do more to achieve progress.
An ambitious plan to end hostilities in Syria with verifiable results within a week, revived the Geneva-3 peace talks, when Kerry and Lavrov unveiled the truce plan in Munich last Friday. While the humanitarian aid has begun flowing into besieged towns in Syria this week, the warring sides have yet to end hostilities.

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mick silver

20th February 2016, 07:04 PM

CIA Confirms: Saudi Arabia has Four to Seven Nuclear Bombs, Deliverable by Missile or Aircraft Post by Newsroom (https://www.superstation95.com/index.php/world/author/973-newsroom) - Feb 20, 2016

https://cdn.superstation95.com/media/k2/items/cache/19b2674528b4d5fa396dcc8c20062871_XL.jpg

Founding Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Counter-Terrorism Operations Center publicly confirms Saudi Arabia has deliverable nuclear bombs.
Last week, on "The Hal Turner Show" Mr. Turner told his audience that, based on his years of experience as a National Security Intelligence Asset with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, Saudi Arabia is in possession of nuclear weapons. He also made clear that a CIA asset had (earlier) made this revelation in public, on FOX NEWS CHANNEL, and this revelation was a staggering breach of Classified Information protocols.
Turner went on to say that "the only way a guy from the CIA would reveal such information is if Washington WANTED the information revealed; otherwise the person who exposed the classified material could be criminally prosecuted."
Given the fact this revelation comes at a time when Syrian and Russian forces, battling Rebels and Terrorists inside Syria, may soon face a massive invading ground force, backed by massive amounts of tanks, the Russians may have to use Tactical (Battlefield) Nuclear Weapons to defend themselves from being over-run. Thus, the release of this information by the CIA on FOX NEWS CHANNEL is actually a THREAT to Russia; don't use tactical nukes or the Saudis will nuke them back!
Above is a map showing the actual, proven range, of DongFeng Missiles, possessed by Saudi Arabia. These missiles are perfectly capable of carrying nuclear weapons within the range shown. Moreover, as you will see in the video below, the nuclear bombs which the Saudis have, can also be delivered to targets by Saudi F-15 fighter jets; meaning they can be dropped well beyond the range shown on the map above!
We have now obtained the video from FOX NEWS CHANNEL and present it here under the Fair Use Exemption of United States Copyright Law, for news purposes.

Here is Video of what the CIA told FOX NEWS: https://youtu.be/qt3trHKqdiM

steyr_m

20th February 2016, 08:43 PM

Turkey can have all those tanks, IFV's etc. But it will not be as effective as if they were crewed by whites or asians. Good luck against Russia, Turkey....

Joshua01

20th February 2016, 10:06 PM

Neuro

21st February 2016, 03:09 AM

Neuro

21st February 2016, 03:43 AM

Pakistan has 120-130 nuclear warheads, and is believed to have enough fissile material to expand stockpile to 200, according to Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_states_with_nuclear_weapons

Saudi-Pakistan basically is a nuclear power on par with Israel, France, UK and China, if it uses its stockpile of fissile material (maybe they already did) to make another 80 bombs...

Here is more info on the Nuclear weapons sharing deal between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_program_of_Saudi_Arabia

mick silver

21st February 2016, 09:01 AM

Mr President, Sir, Are You About to Blow Up the Middle East? Column: Politics (http://journal-neo.org/category/columns/politics/)
Region: Middle East (http://journal-neo.org/category/locations/middle-east/)

http://journal-neo.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/obama4-300x225.jpg (http://journal-neo.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/obama4.jpg)I have a very uneasy feeling that the US President is about to set off a chain of events that will literally blow up the Middle East. Earlier I’ve detailed the very careful steps, seductions and actions of key players of the Obama Administration, from the President himself to Secretary of State John Kerry to CIA director, John Owen Brennan, to Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, General Joseph “Fightin’ Joe” Francis Dunford, Jr., Washington dirty tricks specialist and now UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey D. Feltman, and numerous others not in the spotlight. Their reactions to the provocative actions of Turkish Sultan-in-waiting, now mere Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, as well as to Saudi Arabian King-in-waiting, Defense Minister Prince Mohammed Salman, in the months since the surprise Russian entry into the Syria war on the side of legitimately-elected President Bashar al-Assad, are clearly not result of a bumbling Washington policy disorder. Washington has set a huge, deadly trap for the delusional Saudi monarchy’s Prince Salman and his bosom buddy, Erdoğan. Now it looks like they are about to spring their trap.First it’s useful to look a bit more closely into the UN-sponsored Geneva III “peace talks” which began the first week of February. The talks, despite Russian and Syrian efforts, have been a farce from the onset. The key UN point-person guiding the Geneva sabotage agenda is UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey D. Feltman.
Feltman-Bandar PlanFeltman is a US State Department dirty tricks specialist who was Ambassador to Lebanon at the time of the 2005 Harari assassination. Before that Feltman served in Iraq in the aftermath of the US military invasion. Even earlier, he was posted to Yugoslavia, in the early 1980’s to play a role in Washington’s dismemberment of that country. His résumé suggests that he is a Washington specialist in their very-loved and very-often-practiced art of national dismemberment. Destruction of the Bashar al Assad regime is his current obsession. Not exactly a neutral peace mediator.Indeed, in 2008, Feltman authored a secret plan with former Saudi Ambassador to Washington, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, nicknamed “Bandar Bush” by George W. Bush for his intimate ties to the Bush family. That Feltman-Bandar Plan was revealed in internal documents hacked in 2011 from the thousands of files of STRATFOR, the murky US “strategic intelligence” consultancy to the Department of Defense and military industry (http://www.champress.net/index.php?q=en/Article/view/86507).That Feltman Plan, financed by a reported $2 billion from Bandar’s Saudi piggy bank, describes in detail what has ensued since Washington, under then-Secretary of State Hillary R. Clinton, launched war in Syria in March 2011, after destroying Qaddafi’s Libya. The Feltman-Bandar plan “strategically” depended on the exploitation of peoples’ legitimate desire for freedom, dignity and getting rid of corruption by turning these wishes into a revolt against Assad.The Feltman-Bandar plan called for dividing Syria into different ethnic groups–Alawite, Sunni, Shi’ite, Kurd, Christian, and dividing the country into three areas: big cities, small cities and villages. Then the USA and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and selected allies would begin covert training and recruiting of five levels or networks of actors, controlled by the CIA and Saudi intelligence, which Bandar later headed, to execute the destruction or national dismemberment of Syria. The plan outlined the five networks they would manipulate:1- The “Fuel”: educated and unemployed youths who are to be linked in a decentralized way.2- The “Thugs”: outlaws and criminals from remote areas, preferably non-Syrians.3- The “Ethnic-Sectarians”: young people with limited education representing ethnic communities that support or oppose the president. They must be under the age of 22.4- The “Media”: some leaders of civil society institutions which have European funding not American, to conceal US role.5- The “Capital”: traders, company owners, banks and commercial centers in Damascus, Aleppo and Homs only (http://www.champress.net/index.php?q=en/Article/view/86507).The aim of that 2008 Feltman-Bandar “plan” according to knowledgeable sources was to bring Syria back to the “stone age.” It called for each sect the Saudis and CIA recruited “to commit horrible bloody massacres against violators. These crimes must be filmed and posted to the media as soon as possible (http://www.champress.net/index.php?q=en/Article/view/86507).” If we view the countless photos of Syrian cities, villages and towns today, that is pretty much what has been accomplished in now almost five years of war.And now, as UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman cannot be expected, like the proverbial leopard, to have changed his spots. In fact the UN Under-Secretary-General at the Geneva III talks can be expected to skillfuly sabotage any positive outcome in terms of an enduring ceasefire in Syria that might prepare the way for peaceful national elections free of Saudi or Turkish or Qatari malfeasance.
Blaming the Russians and AssadIn Geneva, the Saudi-backed “opposition”, the pompous-sounding High Negotiations Committee (HNC), whose members were hand-picked by the Saudi monarchy as Sunni tribal Saudi loyalists, referred to in the media as “the most important opposition alliance,” has done nothing but disrupt, insisting that no Geneva talks can go forward unless the UN end the “crimes” of the Syrian government as a condition for their participation (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160131/1034009507/saudi-arabia-un-negotiations.html#ixzz3yrczszNy).Finally, on February 2, the hand-picked Saudi HNC delegation to Geneva pulled out of the talks, de facto collapsing the entire effort. Their justification was a lie. They claimed as reason for walking out the continued Russian support bombing in Syria to liberate Aleppo and other terrorist-beseiged towns, blaming Russia and Assad for violation of “international law (http://www.euronews.com/2016/02/02/syrian-opposition-hnc-pulls-out-of-geneva-peace-talks/).” They didn’t specify which law they had in mind.Specifically, High Negotiations Committee spokesperson,Farah al-Atassi, charged, quite falsely, that an ongoing Syrian-Russian offensive against DAESH or IS and the terrorist Al Qaeda Syria group called Al Nusra Front was the group’s reason for declining the meeting: “Our objective is to ensure the immediate implementation if paragraphs 12 and 13 of UN Security Council resolution 2254 before the start of any negotiation. It’s clear from the current situation that the regime and its allies — in particular Russia — are determined to reject the UN’s efforts to implement international law (http://www.euronews.com/2016/02/02/syrian-opposition-hnc-pulls-out-of-geneva-peace-talks/).”Paragraph 12 of that December 2015 UN Security Council Resolution is excerpted here: “12. Calls on the parties to immediately allow humanitarian agencies rapid, safe and unhindered access throughout Syria by most direct routes, allow immediate, humanitarian assistance to reach all people in need, in particular in all besieged and hard-to-reach areas (http://www.un.org/press/en/2015/sc12171.doc.htm)…”That humanitarian relief effort with emergency food and medical airdrops by the Syrian Air Force has been constantly sabotaged by precisely DAESH and Al Nusra and other Saudi-tied terror groups.Moreover, Paragraph 13 does not say anything about a full ceasefire BEFORE Geneva talks can even begin. Paragraph 13 is excerpted here: “13. Demands that all parties immediately cease any attacks against civilians and civilian objects as such, including attacks against medical facilities and personnel, and any indiscriminate use of weapons, including through shelling and aerial bombardment, welcomes the commitment by the ISSG to press the parties in this regard, and further demands that all parties immediately comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law as applicable (http://www.un.org/press/en/2015/sc12171.doc.htm).”Now, with perfect orchestration by Washington, their UN man, Feltman, Prince Salman and Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, the fuse is about to be lit on what is shaping up to be one of the most dramatic instances of “national dismemberment” since 1939.Only, while the only-too-clever Prince Salman and Erdogan are convinced, by all the soft, subtle encouragement from John Kerry, from Joe Biden and those in Washington that they have a green light to invade and take over the rich oil and gas fields of Syria and of Turkey’s next-door neighbor Iraq and its huge Mosul oil riches, in fact they are about to fall into a horrendous trap.That trap will likely see the map of the entire Middle East redrawn fundamentally for the first time since the secret British-French (and Russian until the Bolshevik seizure of power in 1917) Sykes-Picot Plan. As in 1916, it will not be Riyadh or Ankara’s cartographers and geographers drawing the new boundaries. It will by Anglo-American ones, at least that is the game plan. It seems we Americans these days can only organize wars. We used to make quality cars, steel, machine tools to build our industry.F. William Engdahl is strategic risk consultant and lecturer, he holds a degree in politics from Princeton University and is a best-selling author on oil and geopolitics, exclusively for the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook” (http://journal-neo.org/). 10

http://journal-neo.org/2016/02/21/mr-president-sir-are-you-about-to-blow-up-the-middle-east-2/

7th trump

21st February 2016, 09:06 AM

Ever wonder why our resident communist traitor, Midnight rambler, hasn't once posted in this thread about the soviet communists using nukes?

The silence is deafening he wants an untrustworthy (never was trusted by the world) communist country to use nuke weapons, a show of military strength, that pollute the earths atmosphere with poisons.

mick silver

21st February 2016, 09:54 AM

MP urges intl probe into US cyberattacks on other nations Published time: 20 Feb, 2016 11:12
Get short URL (http://on.rt.com/750i)

https://cdn.rt.com/files/2016.02/original/56c83cd7c461889f798b4573.jpg
© Kacper Pempel / Reuters

72

Russian MP Robert Shlegel believes the OSCE and UN must investigate a recent US congressman’s confession to participating in the CIA’s electronic operations against Russia, as such attacks violate the 2015 UN resolution on cyber security.
The lawmaker was commenting on the words of former CIA operator-turned-Republican Congressman Will Hurd, who said in a press interview that he had participated in “some offensive cyber operations,” adding “let’s just say I’ll probably never be invited to Moscow anytime soon” when reporters asked him to elaborate about the targets of these operations.
READ MORE: ‘Very powerful’ hacker attack targets Russian leader’s website – Kremlin (https://www.rt.com/politics/315338-hacker-attack-kremlin-website/)
“It looks like the violation of the 2015 Russia-initiated resolution titled ‘Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security’,” Shlegel told fellow MPs during a State Duma session.
“If the United States violated this resolution - and apparently this is what has happened - it must be discussed in the international organizations. The international community must develop effective mechanisms to prevent such actions and never leave them unanswered,” he added.
“Such a confession from a highly-placed US politician is outrageous, especially if we remember how many times the United States and their allies – Estonia, Georgia, Japan and others – have accused Russia of cyberattacks,” Shlegel said. “These constant accusations are nothing but an attempt of the United States to hide their own aggressive actions and now we have proof of that.”
Washington officials have repeatedly accused Russian authorities of backing or ordering hacker attacks on US sites and Moscow has repeatedly denied such allegations as unfounded and not backed with any proof. After another such row that took place in April 2015 Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov suggested that “blaming everything on Russia has already turned into some sort of sport.”
READ MORE: 'Accusing Russia is now a sport': Putin aide debunks CNN report on Russians hacking White House (https://www.rt.com/news/247829-russia-hackers-pentagon-cnn/)

The official added that official websites of the Russian president and his administration faced hundreds and even thousands of cyberattacks every day and that there were attempts to crash Putin’s annual Q&A session with the public.
“The attempts to crash the Q&A – you know it’s a rather complex telecommunications event – are performed mostly from abroad,” Peskov told reporters.

midnight rambler

21st February 2016, 10:14 AM

We should all be honored that we have the most asinine person in the entire world posting on this forum. lol

midnight rambler

21st February 2016, 10:17 AM

Turkey can have all those tanks, IFV's etc. But it will not be as effective as if they were crewed by whites or asians. Good luck against Russia, Turkey....

Well, the tools of dajoos, both the Saudis and the Turks, are definitely going to get smacked down if they get froggy with the bear.

Of course the ONLY reason the Saudis and the Turks are getting so froggy is because Uncle Satan is egging them on.

mick silver

21st February 2016, 10:23 AM

That proposed halt in fighting in Syria is now looking like a complete failure

Armin Rosen (http://www.businessinsider.com/author/armin-rosen)

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http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/56c1aac42e5265b7008b7305-1200-800/rtx26w5w.jpgREUTERS/Abdalrhman IsmailCivil defence members search for survivors after airstrikes by pro-Syrian government forces in the rebel held al-Qaterji neighbourhood of Aleppo, Syria February 14, 2016.
See Alsohttp://static2.businessinsider.com/image/56bd89ca6e97c619008b6c6e-178-178/the-us-and-russia-just-held-a-passive-aggressive-press-conference-announcing-a-cessation-of-hostilities-in-syria.jpg (http://www.businessinsider.com/syria-ceasefire-kerry-lavrov-press-conference-2016-2) The US and Russia just held a passive-aggressive press conference announcing a 'cessation of hostilities' in Syria (http://www.businessinsider.com/syria-ceasefire-kerry-lavrov-press-conference-2016-2)

http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/56be2c7d6e97c621048b6f7b-178-178/a-new-peace-deal-for-syria-effectively-gives-russia-and-assad-a-license-to-kill.jpg (http://www.businessinsider.com/peace-deal-gives-russia-and-assad-a-license-to-kill-2016-2) A new peace deal for Syria effectively gives Russia and Assad 'a license to kill' (http://www.businessinsider.com/peace-deal-gives-russia-and-assad-a-license-to-kill-2016-2)

http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/56be08652e526553008b6e75-178-178/assad-just-made-a-promise-that-effectively-turns-john-kerrys-new-plan-for-syria-on-its-head.jpg (http://www.businessinsider.com/syrias-assad-says-he-will-regain-control-over-the-whole-country-even-if-takes-a-long-time-2016-2) Assad just made a promise that effectively turns John Kerry's new plan for Syria on its head (http://www.businessinsider.com/syrias-assad-says-he-will-regain-control-over-the-whole-country-even-if-takes-a-long-time-2016-2)

Friday was supposed to be an important deadline in Syria's Civil War.
On February 11, the International Syria Support Group (ISSG), a group of countries with interests in the outcome of the Syria conflict that includes the US, and Russia, announced that a "cessation of hostilities (http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/11/middleeast/syria-ceasefire-talks/)" would begin within one week.
But the deadline to end the violence has now passed, making the "cessation" plan seems even more like a half-hearted attempt at imposing a peaceful solution that none of the major combatants in Syria seem to actually want.
As it was, the cessation announcement was meant to salvage some kind of resolution from flailing peace negotiations — talks that Syrian opposition groups want to make conditional upon Russia halting its airstrikes (http://news.yahoo.com/syrian-opposition-says-russian-strikes-must-stop-peace-141604371.html).
Far from encouraging a preliminary end to the fighting, however, the terms of the ISSG plan seem to have encouraged anti-Assad rebels, Kurdish forces, and Russia to make a last-minute grab for territory: Russia bombed a Doctors Without Borders hospital (http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/russias-airstrike-on-a-syrian-hospital-was-no-accident-it-was-a-cold-blooded-attack-a6877046.html) in Idlib province earlier this week, Kurdish forces battled Islamist fighters in Aleppo (http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/02/ansar-al-islam-battles-kurds-in-aleppo.php) with the help of Russian air cover, and Syrian president Bashar al-Assad told a group of lawyers in Damascus (http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/16/middleeast/syria-assad-ceasefire-doubts/) that he believes "no one" is capable of enforcing a stop in the fighting.

http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/56a260afc08a80872f8bace2-4560-3040/lavrov%20kerry.jpgJacquelyn Martin/ReutersU.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov walk to their seats for a meeting about Syria, in Zurich, Switzerland, January 20, 2016.On Friday, the US and Russia postponed a scheduled meeting on the implementation of the "cessation of hostilities," with the sides appearing to differ on whether scheduled negotiations would actually ever be held (https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/russia-says-international-meeting-for-syria-cease-fire-cancelled/2016/02/19/47179aac-d692-11e5-a65b-587e721fb231_story.html).
Secretary of State John Kerry spoke of the "cessation" in aspirational terms that gave little indication of when or whether a pause in the fighting will take place.
"Working out modalities for a cessation of hostilities in a situation like Syria is a highly technical and detailed process; and that's why our teams are still at it," Kerry said Friday, according to Reuters (http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-syria-kerry-idUKKCN0VS2J6). "We want this process to be sustainable, and should all participants prove willing to really sit down and work this out, we can get to a cessation of hostilities."
That's a far cry from the February 11th announcement (http://www.un.org/sg/offthecuff/index.asp?nid=4369) of the ISSG, which stated that "the cessation of hostilities will commence in one week, after confirmation by the Syrian government and opposition, following appropriate consultations in Syria."

http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/56c651ad2e5265b9008b82b3-1300-1618/syria-map.pngReuters The "cessation" was not a legally binding ceasefire, but was meant to offer all sides — except the Islamic State and al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra — an opportunity to negotiate the "modalities" of a longer halt in the fighting.
That halt would, in turn, provide the basis for negotiations towards a political solution to Syria's civil war, which has killed an estimated 470,000 people (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/a-staggering-new-death-toll-for-syrias-war-470000/) and displaced another 12 million (http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/regional.php).
The cessation plan was riddled with loopholes: it allowed Russia to continue its bombing campaign, permitted the regime of Bashar al-Assad to continue fighting anti-regime "terrorists," and didn't' mention the humanitarian situation in Aleppo, an opposition stronghold and the target of an intense Russian, Iranian, and regime bombardment.
"This looks like a ceasefire proposal," Nadim Shehadi, director of the Fares Center for Eastern Mediterranean Studies at Tufts University, told Business Insider last week (http://www.businessinsider.com/peace-deal-gives-russia-and-assad-a-license-to-kill-2016-2). "But it's in effect a license to kill."
Even so, the "cessation" offered at least the possibility of a way forward. Now, it appears unlikely that the scheduled pause in violence — which is already a day overdue — will even happen at all.
SEE ALSO: Reporter to Obama: Are you being "outfoxed" by Putin in Syria? (http://www.businessinsider.com/obama-syria-putin-outfoxed-2016-2)
NOW WATCH: Watch this heartbreaking eyewitness account of the Syrian refugee crisis in Greece (http://www.businessinsider.com/syrian-refugee-rescue-lesbos-greece-2016-1)

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mick silver

21st February 2016, 03:53 PM

How Is It Even Possible to Fight a War with "God On Our Side"? (http://www.illuminati-news.com/with-god-on-our-side.htm)
- Please tell me when all this blindness will stop and people will sit down for just ONE second and start thinking. PLEASE! Before we in our ignorance will help people like Bush kill 80% of the world population and put the rest in slavery.

mick silver

21st February 2016, 04:04 PM

Start Preparing for the Collapse of the Saudi KingdomBy GPD (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/admin/) on February 21, 2016
Saudi Arabia is no state at all. It's an unstable business so corrupt to resemble a criminal organization and the U.S. should get ready for the day after.
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/lido_973.jpg

BY SARAH CHAYES (http://www.defenseone.com/voices/sarah-chayes/8512/) ALEX DE WAAL (http://www.defenseone.com/voices/alex-dewaal/11904/)

For half a century, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been the linchpin of U.S. Mideast policy. A guaranteed supply of oil has bought a guaranteed supply of security. Ignoring autocratic practices and the export of Wahhabi extremism, Washington stubbornly dubs its ally “moderate.” So tight is the trust thatU.S. special operators dip into Saudi petrodollars as a counterterrorism slush fund (http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/24/world/middleeast/us-relies-heavily-on-saudi-money-to-support-syrian-rebels.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/24/world/middleeast/us-relies-heavily-on-saudi-money-to-support-syrian-rebels.html) without a second thought. In a sea of chaos, goes the refrain, the kingdom is one state that’s stable.
But is it?
In fact, Saudi Arabia is no state at all. There are two ways to describe it: as a political enterprise with a clever but ultimately unsustainable business model, or so corrupt as to resemble in its functioning a vertically and horizontally integrated criminal organization. Either way, it can’t last. It’s past time U.S.decision-makers began planning for the collapse of the Saudi kingdom.
In recent conversations with military and other government personnel, we were startled at how startled they seemed at this prospect. Here’s the analysis they should be working through.
Understood one way, the Saudi king isCEO of a family business that converts oil into payoffs that buy political loyalty. They take two forms: cash handouts or commercial concessions for the increasingly numerous scions of the royal clan, and a modicum of public goods and employment opportunities for commoners.
read more at Defense One (http://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2016/02/de-waal-and-chayes-saudi-arabia/125953/?oref=d-topstory) or commentary from Sputnik News below:
Riyadh on the Brink: US Must Prepare for Collapse of its Mideast ‘Lynchpin’
The United States must start thinking of ways to mitigate the damage from the approaching collapse of the current Saudi Arabian monarchy.
A codependence between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the US has existed for decades. A scheme in which oil from the Saudis was exchanged for US military might worked well for both. It worked so well, in fact, that the US turned a blind eye to consistent human rights violations in the kingdom, as well as the spread of Wahhabi religious extremism.
Unfortunately for America, this formula has an expiration date. Several factors predetermine the collapse of the current Saudi Arabian ruling monarchy, according toDefense One (http://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2016/02/de-waal-and-chayes-saudi-arabia/125953/?oref=d-topstory).
The first is that it operates more as a “family business” than an actual state, where the king, aka the CEO, converts oil into payoffs to buy political and military loyalty. It is widely accepted that the system is corrupt and cannot endure. What happens when the price of loyalty rises and a ravenous elite doesn’t limit its appetite now that oil prices keep dropping? The monarchy will face political insolvency.
Saudi citizens have begun to show hints of discontent with the heavy-handed ruling elite, especially those members of the Shiite minority. The highly educated Sunni majority is also showing dissatisfaction with the cake crumbs it is accustomed to receiving. And Saudi officials, exploiting ‘guest workers’ who currently heavily outnumber citizens and may soon see those indentured servants begin to claim rights.
In countries such as Nigeria, Brazil or Malaysia, when people protest government corruption, heads of state resign. Saudi King Salman’s ruling methods include executing dissidents, embarking on foreign wars, and whipping up sectarian rivalries to discredit Saudi Shiite demands.
These and many other social issues, including the treatment of women as second class citizens, only contribute to the disaffection.
According to Defense One, there are three ways things could play out. One is a factional struggle within the royal family when it runs out of money, resulting in a new king who either continues the old ways or attempts reform.
Another possibility is additional foreign wars, as war is a popular option among the desperate to direct attention away from themselves. One war, against Yemen, is already in progress. The monarchy has hinted that it will fight in Syria as well.
Or there could be insurrection. It’s unlikely, as the ruling party holds all the resources, but it must, nonetheless, be considered.
The US must be prepared for any of these scenarios and not get caught flat-footed when its Arab lynchpin in Mideast policy comes apart.

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Soros No Longer Views Russia as Enemy in Attempt to ‘Save EU From Collapse’ (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/01/23/soros-no-longer-views-russia-as-enemy-in-attempt-to-save-eu-from-collapse/)
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Syrian Army, Russian Air Force Preparing for Joint Liberation Operation in Palmyra (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2015/10/28/syrian-army-russian-air-force-preparing-for-joint-liberation-operation-in-palmyra/)

mick silver

21st February 2016, 04:22 PM

Washington has requested Moscow not to bomb areas of Northern Syria where US Special Forces are being deployed. These areas are under the jurisdiction of so-called “moderate opposition” rebels who are supported by the US and its allies.
The areas in question pertain to pockets of Northern Syria in which various US-NATO supported jihadist groups including the Islamic State (ISIS) and Al Nusrah are fighting Syrian government forces (SAA) and their allies. These terrorist pockets are protected by the US-led coalition and Turkey:
The Pentagon has asked Russia to stay away from parts of northern Syria where US special operations troops are training local fighters [i.e. terrorists including the Islamic State ] to combat the Islamic State group [the opposition rebels are allies of ISIS, ISIS is supported by the US and has special forces within its ranks], military officials said Thursday. The acknowledgement is significant because the Pentagon has repeatedly stressed it is not cooperating with Moscow as the two powers lead separate air campaigns in war-ravaged Syria…. (Al Monitor, AFP Report (http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/contents/afp/2016/02/syria-conflict-us-military-russia.html), February 18 2016)- -

http://www.globalresearch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Screen-Shot-2016-02-20-at-19.14.02-1024x183.png (http://www.globalresearch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Screen-Shot-2016-02-20-at-19.14.02.png)The advisory acknowledges US military presence inside Syria. Washington confirms that US Special Forces and CIA are operating within the ranks of the “Moderate Opposition”. http://www.globalresearch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Screen-Shot-2016-02-20-at-19.56.27-1024x139.png (http://www.globalresearch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Screen-Shot-2016-02-20-at-19.56.27.png)Washington’s objective is twofold. First, “officially” it wants to avoid direct military confrontation with Russia as well prevent US casualties. That’s the substance of the official advisory. It is not the main objective.Second: it is using the pretext of avoiding military confrontation with Russia (and US casualties) as a means to restraining Russia’s bombing campaign: Washington’s main objective is to protect remaining US sponsored terrorist positions in Northern Syria including those of the ISIS from Russian airstrikes. http://www.globalresearch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/cache_240_240_150115-Long-War-Cover-hi-res-finalv2-copy3.jpg (https://store.globalresearch.ca/store/the-globalization-of-war-americas-long-war-against-humanity/)Click image to order Michel Chossudovsky’s latest book from Global Research (https://store.globalresearch.ca/store/the-globalization-of-war-americas-long-war-against-humanity/)* * *
The advisory is tantamount to asking Russia not to bomb the “moderate terrorists” who are supported by US forces. In fact this was the initial position adopted by Washington at the outset of the Russian bombing campaign against the Islamic State in late September 2015. The Obama administration blamed Vladimir Putin of “deliberately targeting US backed forces” in Syria (i.e. moderate terrorists) rather than US Special Forces.
Washington’s concern (from a strategic standpoint) is to protect the terrorists’ positions rather than their own forces. In fact, what was at stake in mid October 2015 was that Russia was killing the “good guys” namely “CIA trained rebels” whom Moscow had “mistakenly” categorized as terrorists.According to a US official in an interview with Fox News (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/10/14/official-russia-deliberately-targeting-us-backed-forces-in-syria/):

“Putin is deliberately targeting our forces. Our guys are fighting for their lives.”

http://www.globalresearch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Screen-Shot-2016-02-20-at-20.07.19-1024x588.png (http://www.globalresearch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Screen-Shot-2016-02-20-at-20.07.19.png)
Source: October 14, 2015, FoxNews.com (http://www.foxnews.com/)Officially, America now has “boots on the ground” operating within the ranks of various Al Qaeda affiliated “opposition” groups as well as within the ISIS in violation of Syrian sovereignty.The special forces are in permanent liaison with US-NATO.The Pentagon advisory requests Russia not to target US Special Forces in “broad areas” of Northern Syria, which is tantamount to restraining Russia airstrikes against the terrorists supported by the US-led coalition:
Lieutenant General Charles Brown, who commands the US air forces in the Middle East, said US officials had asked Moscow to avoid “broad areas” in northern Syria [still under control of the terrorists] “to maintain a level of safety for our forces that are on the ground.”
Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said Russia had honored the request, and stressed the Pentagon only provided broad geographic descriptions of where the US troops are, not their precise location.
[The Russian military knows where US forces are operating, i.e. in the ranks of various "opposition" groups fighting government forces]
The Pentagon last year said it was sending about 50 special operations forces to work with anti-IS fighters in Syria though officials have said next to nothing about their whereabouts and progress since.
[The number of US forces on the ground is larger, these Pentagon figures do not include mercenary forces hired by private contractors operating within terrorist ranks]
The United States has since August 2014 led an international coalition against the IS group in Iraq and Syria. [This is a lie; amply documented the US and its allies including Turkey and Saudi Arabia are protecting the Islamic State]
Russia entered the Syria conflict in September, when it began bombing rebels opposed to President Bashar al-Assad. Russia says it is attacking the IS group and other “terrorists.”
… The Pentagon has held a series of “deconfliction” talks with Russian counterparts to outline procedures in case of a mishap (Al Monitor, AFP Report (http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/contents/afp/2016/02/syria-conflict-us-military-russia.html), emphasis added)
It is worth noting that in mid-January in response to Russia’s airstrikes and the defeat of the US-NATO sponsored terrorist opposition forces, the Pentagon announced a new plan to train up to 7,000 new rebels inside Syria “as part of an effort to secure Turkey’s southern border”. This plan coordinated with Turkey would consist in creating a so-called safe-zone in Northern Syria. (WSJ (http://www.wsj.com/articles/pentagon-considers-plan-to-train-fighters-in-syria-1452646578), January 15, 2016 ).According to a Secret Pentagon document, the ultimate objective “was” to create an Islamic State Caliphate (Salafist Principality) in Northern Syria.
http://www.globalresearch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Screen-Shot-2015-12-02-at-08.39.19-1024x614.png (http://www.globalresearch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Screen-Shot-2015-12-02-at-08.39.19-1024x614.png)Global Research has developed an archive of more than 1000 articles on Syria, (http://www.globalresearch.ca/indepthreport/syria-nato-s-next-war) which document beyond doubt Washington’s support of Al Qaeda affiliated opposition groups in Syria as well as the Islamic State.
http://www.globalresearch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/cache_240_240_150115-Long-War-Cover-hi-res-finalv2-copy3.jpg (https://store.globalresearch.ca/store/the-globalization-of-war-americas-long-war-against-humanity/)The Globalization of War: America’s “Long

mick silver

21st February 2016, 04:43 PM

“Al Qaeda R Us”: John McCain’s “Moderate Rebels” in Syria are ISIS ...........Poor John McCain and Lindsey Graham, Washington’s original first couple. They only want to arm the ‘moderate opposition’ (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/26/obama-syrian-rebels_n_5534421.html) in Syria. Three years on, how come their master plan isn’t working, while ISIS has grown so strong?

Despite what media lauded as, “the largest demonstration in France’s history – bigger than liberation at the end of WWII!” (can you rightly compare the two), the Paris Attacks (http://21stcenturywire.com/2015/01/07/deadly-cartoon-jihad-hits-paris-satire-mag-charlie-hebdo-12-dead-11-injured-in-terror-attack/) are fading fast into the rear view mirror. The media went to great lengths to reinforce the scary prospect of the ‘ISIS in Europe’, even though there is spurious, if any, real evidence to support that claim. Nonetheless, a lack of evidence has never stopped the media from conjuring up a frightening new trend.
In the light of the recent Paris Attacks (http://21stcenturywire.com/2015/01/07/deadly-cartoon-jihad-hits-paris-satire-mag-charlie-hebdo-12-dead-11-injured-in-terror-attack/) it’s more important than ever to take a sober look, and perhaps shine a light on the fact that there are no real ‘moderate rebels’ in Syria, no more than there are in Iraq.
On Tuesday during his State of the Union address, President Barack Obama touted great strides in “halting the advance of ISIS” (http://freebeacon.com/issues/obama-falsely-claims-us-is-stopping-spread-of-islamic-state-during-state-of-the-union/) with US-led airstrikes in Syria and Iraq. Today, US Ambassador Stuart Jones announced that (http://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-ambassador-iraq-stuart-jones-6000-isis-killed-by-airstrikes-al-arabiya/) “Coalition Airstrikes” (US airstrikes) have killed 6,000 ISIS byHow the US is able to conjure up such incredible Jack and the Beanstalk-style numbers (all but impossible to verify) is beyond anyone outside of Washington. You just have to take his word for it. Just like we just had to take US Ambassador to the Ukraine’s word for it – when Geoffrey Pyatt Tweeted a few random Digital Globe images (http://21stcenturywire.com/2014/07/29/after-failed-mh17-false-flag-washington-attempts-bold-new-moves-to-frame-russia/) claiming that the Russians invaded Ukraine, again.After six or so ‘Russian Invasion’ (http://21stcenturywire.com/2014/11/08/addicted-to-lies-kiev-cia-still-pushing-fake-news-reports-of-russia-invading-ukraine/) false starts, we’re still waiting for evidence beyond Twitter.
The lies and creative accounting have been palpable since the beginning of the US airstrikes in Syria. Early strikes weren’t actually against ISIS, but rather against a number of impressive empty buildings, and buildings which were curiously evacuated days before the US conducted the raids (http://21stcenturywire.com/2014/09/24/us-bombed-empty-buildings-in-raqqa-in-airstrikes-on-isil-in-syria/). How interesting.
This brings us to the issue of who ISIS really is, and how did ISIS build up to the level they are at today. It’s a particularly embarrassing thing to admit, because when you allow this fact out of the bag, then skeptics start asking more questions, and if there’s one thing that politicians hate more than anything, it’s facts and questions.
So, what happened to all of McCain’s “moderate opposition”? You know, the ones which President Obama, John Kerry, David Cameron and the rest of the ‘liberate Syria’ gang insist need our help with more weapons and cash? New Eastern Outlook (http://journal-neo.org/2015/01/16/us-is-preparing-up-to-5k-militants-that-would-flee-to-isil/) geopolitical analysis and writer Tony Cartalucci explains:

Reported along the peripheries of the Western media, it was reported recently that some 3,000 so-called “moderate rebels” of the “Free Syrian Army” had defected to the “Islamic State” (ISIS) (http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/3000-fsa-fighters-defect-isis-qalamoun-mountains/). While not the first time so-called “moderates” have crossed over openly to Al Qaeda or ISIS, it is one of the largest crossovers that has occurred. With them, these 3,000 fighters will bring weapons, cash, equipment, and training provided to them by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United States, the UK, and perhaps most ironic of all in the wake of the recent terror attack in Paris, France (http://landdestroyer.blogspot.com/2015/01/a-timeline-whered-paris-shooters-get.html). Indeed, ISIS and Al Qaeda’s ranks continue to swell amid this insidious network of “terror laundering” that is only set to grow.
This means there’s no “moderate rebels” to speak of, so therefore ISIS is McCain’s Army (http://21stcenturywire.com/2014/11/21/team-america-isis-is-mccains-army/). Washington’s nation-builders are banking on the fact that Americans are not smart enough, or too brain-dead to work this one out.
[CENTER]

mick silver

21st February 2016, 04:55 PM

We can see that Erdogan’s flooding Europe with refugees was the opening shot of this move, and one we were all astonished to see Merkel immediately jump on board with; followed by the total “it’s none of our business” attitude, where the weak underbelly of Greece and the Balkans were the chosen route. It had all the fingerprints of a planned, major military operation. And then someone pulled the trigger on the Paris attack, with no one asking at the time “why now?” They brought us the destabilizing gift of a new US “defense” doctrine, where preemptive strikes could be carried out against any country that the US deemed “could” become a threat “at some point in the future”. In the past, we had the rational view of preventing an “eminent threat”. A war is already going on. Turkey has invaded Syria, ISIS is a Turkish army, Muslim Brotherhood recruits, mercenaries, underwritten by the Saudis and Qatar, aided by rogue Western intelligence agencies, the CIA and MI6.
Turkey has bombed Kurds inside Syria, not the claimed “rebel” PKK, but the US allies of the YPG, and is now shelling them in violation of a UNSC memorandum.
http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/21/neo-erdogans-plan-islamic-empire-or-armageddon/

mick silver

22nd February 2016, 06:54 AM

Saudi Arabia’s Dictator Demands Regime-Change in Syria — Otherwise WW IIISource: Eric Zuesse

As has been recently reported, (http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2016/02/experts-invasion-syria-lead-nuclear-war.html) many experts on international relations are saying that the danger of a nuclear war between NATO and Russia is greater now than it was during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 — in other words: greater than ever before in history. But it has just ratcheted a bit higher still: The owner of Saudi Arabia, King Salman al-Saud, speaking through his spokesperson and chosen Foreign Minister, in an interview that was published on February 19th in Germany’s magazine Spiegel, (http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-saudi-foreign-minister-adel-al-jubeir-on-syrian-war-a-1078337.html) says that he demands the resignation or else the overthrow of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad, who is allied with both Iran and Russia. Polls of the Syrian public, by Western polling firms (http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2015/11/u-s-demands-there-be-no-democracy-in-syria.html), consistently show Assad to be overwhelmingly approved by the Syrian people to be the leader of Syria, and show that Syrians blame the United States for causing ISIS, which is disapproved by 76% of Syrians. The other named jihadist groups, such as al-Nusra which is Al Qaeda in Syria, received similarly low approval-ratings from the Syrian public. In stark contrast, a poll of Saudi Arabians shows that 92% of them approve of ISIS (https://muslimstatistics.wordpress.com/2014/08/24/92-of-saudis-believes-that-isis-conforms-to-the-values-of-islam-and-islamic-law-survey/). But the United States is allied with the fundamentalist-Islamic dictatorship Saudi Arabia, against the separation-of-church-and-state democracy of Russia. So too is America’s fellow-NATO-member Turkey allied with the fundamentalist Muslims, and they’re publicly threatening to invade Syria (another nation that has strict separation of church-and-state (http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2016/01/obamas-invasion-plan-syria-drawn-kim-roosevelt-1957.html)) with ground troops. They’re backed by planes that were supplied to the Sauds by the United States.
Robert Parry reported on February 18th, (https://consortiumnews.com/2016/02/18/risking-nuclear-war-for-al-qaeda/) "A source close to Russian President Vladimir Putin told me that the Russians have warned Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Moscow is prepared to use tactical nuclear weapons if necessary to save their troops in the face of a Turkish-Saudi onslaught. Since Turkey is a member of NATO, any such conflict could quickly escalate into a full-scale nuclear confrontation."
The Saudi Foreign Minister also says that his country is waiting for U.S. President Barack Obama to take the lead in forcing Assad to resign, because, he says, otherwise Assad will necessarily be overthrown in a war, and there is a possibility that World War III could result, though he also says, "I don't think World War III is going to happen in Syria.” He even says that to talk about “the danger of World War III … is an over-dramatization,” because he expects America to lead in the overthrow of Assad. He’s waiting for Obama’s decison.
Spiegel’s interviewer asked some challenging follow-up questions, such as, "Is Saudi Arabia not financing extremist groups? Zarif speaks of attacks by al-Qaida.” To that one, he answered, “Yes, but that’s not us. We don’t tolerate terrorism.”
In the UAE, the TV network of Dubai telecast on 22 January 2016 an interview with the former Imam of the Grand Mosque in Mecca Saudi Arabia, a high authority on the Sauds’ faith, which is likewise the faith of the six royal families of UAE, and this interview was telecast in Arabic, so the expectation was naturally to be speaking to the locals instead of to foreigners. However, a youtube on January 27th included subscripts in English, and is headlined “Former Imam of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Adel Kalbani: Daesh ISIS have the same beliefs as we do.” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWORE6OBfhc) He states there that the only difference between ISIS and their faith is that (1:55-) “We follow the same thought but apply it in a refined way,” because Saudis believe that (1:12-) “if we execute them [people] in a way that does not show us in a bad way, then that’s fine,” whereas ISIS’s way is so (1:09-) “brutal that it ruins our image in front of the world.” But that’s just the Saudi faith as it’s represented by the ‘holy men.’ What about the royals themselves?
Here is the evidence on this matter, (http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2015/02/al-qaedas-bookkeeper-spills-beans.html) which Spiegel’s interviewer failed even to bring up: The individual who had been the bookkeeper, accountant, and bagman for Al Qaeda, and who personally collected (in cash) each one of the million-dollar-plus donations to Al Qaeda, from which donations the “salaries” (as he referred to them) of each one of the terrorists and terrorists-in-training were being paid, testified under oath in an American court case, saying that almost all of that money came from Saudi Arabia’s royal family, from their Princes, including from the one — Prince Bandar bin Sultan al-Saud — who was, at the very time of 9/11, serving in the United States, as the Saudi Ambassador. Bandar subsequently became the chief of Saudi intelligence. The Saudi King appointed a man like that — a big donor to Al Qaeda — to be his Kingdom’s chief of intelligence. The current King of Saudi Arabia, King Fahd al-Saud, was mentioned by that bagman as having been among the people to whom Osama bin Laden had him deliver letters to at the time when the Saud family were planning whom to select to become the next King; Al Qaeda's bagman said that he had delivered Osama’s letters to "Abdullah (http://www.apple.com/), Fahd (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fahd_of_Saudi_Arabia), okay, Salman (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salman_of_Saudi_Arabia), Waleed bin Talal (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Waleed_bin_Talal), Bandar, Turki (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turki_bin_Faisal_Al_Saud) of course, and Shaykh — Shaykh Bin Baz, Shaykh Uthaimeen, Shaykh Shehri, and Shaykh Hammoud al-Uqlaa, but Shaykh Osama told me that the — the letter for the — for — for the ulema [the religious leaders] I could give it — give it to Turki.” (I.e.: Turki was the contact-man with the religious scholars.)
Here was a follow-up question from the transcript, and the bagman’s answer to it:
Q Do you have any understanding why in that context Osama bin Laden would have been sending letters to both members of the royal family and the senior ulema [the scholars]?
A: My understanding from talking with people like Abu Basir al-Wahishi who become the — the head of al-Qaeda in the Arabian peninsula, who I used to be close to, okay, or Halad or Shaykh Abu Hasan (http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.aspx?from=ar&to=en&a=http%3A%2F%2Fweb.archive.org%2Fweb%2F20081028225 203%2Fhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.alqayim.net%2Findex.php%3Fd isplay%3Darticle%26subject%3D6) [but is that the same person?], Shayk Mujahideen, Shaykh Aman, and Shaykh Abul Sef — my understanding that they — they want to know who they should support.
The counsel or advice from Osama bin Laden was respected by the members of the Saudi royal family, in order to help them to determine which one of them should become the next King. Presumably, Osama’s advice was necessary in order for them to learn which ones of themselves could become appointed to lead as King without sparking attacks by Al Qaeda and by the clergy (whose faith they spread) against the Saud family, and which ones would be unacceptable to Al Qaeda and to the clergy. Al Qaeda were, in a sense, the clergy’s enforcers, and they could do this at home in Saudi Arabia. This was the implicit threat: that they had to appoint someone who was in-synch with the jihadist goals, spreading the faith, the goal of the Wahhabist (which is the Saudi branch of Salafism) clerics. (Salafism/Wahhabism is jihadist by its very founding, and is above all dedicated to exterminating Shiites in order to unify global Islam behind the jihadist cause, religious conquest for purified Sunni faith, the Caliphate. (http://rinf.com/alt-news/breaking-news/the-origin-of-jihadism/))
Furthermore: When Hillary Clinton was the U.S. Secretary of State, one of the first things she did was to send, to her Ambassadors in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, and Kuwait, instructions for them to tell their royals to make sure that they would no longer allow those donations to continue; and she even said: "Donors in Saudi Arabia constitute the most significant source of funding to Sunni terrorist groups worldwide.” (http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2016/02/terrorists-arent-hitting-u-s-now.html) She didn’t name names, but they already knew the names. That was eight years after 9/11, in 2009, and there’s no reason to think that the situation has changed since, just as there indeed had been no change after the 9/11 attacks and the donations instead continued into at least 2009.
A truthful answer from the Saudi Foreign Minister, to the question, "Is Saudi Arabia not financing extremist groups? Zarif speaks of attacks by al-Qaida,” would have been (http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2015/12/the-origin-of-jihadism.html): “We don’t support jihad that threatens our own regime, like ISIS does by saying that we Sauds aren’t descended from the Prophet [Mohammed] and that their leader al-Baghdadi (http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/markaz/posts/2015/09/10-isis-baghdadi-family-tree-mccants) is and so he should rule the world and we shouldn’t, and that we therefore aren’t qualified even to run Saudi Arabia, and to serve as custodians over Mecca and Medina, on that basis.” But, he didn’t give that honest answer.
The Saudi Foreign Minister went on to tell Spiegel, "We believe that introducing surface-to-air missiles in Syria [which the United States supplies to the Sauds] is going to change the balance of power on the ground.” He believes this because it will enable the overthrow-Assad forces on the ground to shoot down Russian jets. He supports jihadist groups, but only the ones that acknowledge the Sauds’ authority.
On February 20th, Almasdar News headlined "Turkey says Obama shares Syria concerns with Erdogan, affirms support,” (https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/turkey-says-obama-shares-syria-concerns-erdogan-affirms-support/) and reported that, "Turkey’s presidency said U.S. President Barack Obama had shared his concerns over the Syrian conflict and promised his support on Friday, hours after a tense exchange between the two NATO allies over the role of Kurdish militants. In a phone conversation that lasted one hour and 20 minutes, Ankara said Obama had told his counterpart President Tayyip Erdogan that Turkey had a right to self-defense.” These “tensions” resulted from Obama’s urging Turkey to “show reciprocal restraint.”
In other words: Turkey is a member of NATO and it will therefore be backed by fellow-NATO-member U.S. in any war against Russia, but Turkey should use “restraint.” The issue there was the use by U.S.-backed Kurds in Syria, of U.S. weapons which those Kurds were firing against the jihadists who are trying to take over Syria. The pro-jihadist Erdogan wants to send his ground-forces into Syria to kill those Kurds, but those Kurds are allied now with both the United States and Russia, and so Erdogan has been holding off. The possibility exists that if the Syrian conflict can be ended without having sparked a nuclear war, then Syria will become a federal republic, and the Kurdish region in its easternmost corner will become a largely autonomous state within the Syrian federal union. That outcome is unacceptable to Erdogan, but U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has tentatively agreed with Russia that it needs to be and remain open.
The Saudi Foreign Minister told Spiegel, "It is important that Bashar leaves in the beginning, not at the end of the process.” In other words, King Saud agrees with Hillary Clinton that Assad must be forced out of power while, and not after, the battles to defeat ISIS are going on. They demand their own victory, before any political process can begin in Syria. (As the Sauds see Assad, he’s not only a secularist, but he’s a Shiite, and therefore should die and be replaced by a fundamentalist Sunni like themselves.)
Whether or not to continue America’s war against Russia, which has continued even after the Warsaw Pact ended in 1991 with a ceaseless expansion of NATO right up to Russia’s borders, is the biggest issue in the U.S. Presidential campaign, with Hillary Clinton and the Establishment Republicans demanding its continuation, and with Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump saying that there’s no sound reason for continuing it.
On February 18th, Stephen Kinzer had an op-ed in the Boston Globe titled, “The media are misleading the public on Syria,” (http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2016/02/18/the-media-are-misleading-public-syria/8YB75otYirPzUCnlwaVtcK/story.html#comments) and he wrote:
Washington-based reporters tell us that one potent force in Syria, al-Nusra, is made up of “rebels” or “moderates,” not that it is the local al-Qaeda franchise. Saudi Arabia is portrayed as aiding freedom fighters when in fact it is a prime sponsor of ISIS. Turkey has for years been running a “rat line” for foreign fighters wanting to join terror groups in Syria, but ... we hear little about it.
The first reader-comment to it was:
Ozark02/18/16 02:08 PM
When did you join the payroll of the Kremlin and Teheran, Mr. Kinzer?
The first reply to that was:
tsynchronous02/18/16 02:13 PM
Sadly he is on the payroll of a foundation funded by IBM — even though he thinks capitalism and the USA is evil.
A subsequent response to it was:
Miker602/19/16 05:19 AM
And notice that Stephen Kinzer completely leaves out Barack Obama's famous "RED LINE" proclamation for Bashir Assad, and why did he completely back out of it?
That alone is enough to Stephen Kinzer to be the one who is misleading the public on Syria.
Actually, the comment by Miker602 was further evidence that Kinzer’s op-ed is true. In fact, that sarin gas attack was carried out by al-Nusra, which had been supplied the sarin from the Benghazi Libya U.S. Consulate, which was actually a CIA operation and worked with the Sauds who own Saudi Arabia, plus the Thanis who own Qatar, plus Erdogan who aims to re-establish the Ottoman Empire, and it was definitely not done by the forces of Bashar al-Assad. In other words: Obama was behind it, but Assad was not, and Obama (and ‘our’ ‘allies’) were doing it in order to blame it on Assad so as to have an excuse for invading. (http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2015/10/seymour-hershs-news-report-banned-in-u-s-is-finally-confirmed-in-turkey.html) But how much is this fact being reported in the U.S., or in the ‘news’ media of its allies? This is “samizdat,” and even Kinzer doesn’t touch upon it.
Or, how much is the fact being reported that, other than the United States leadership, many if not most of the other Western countries are saying that in the event of an invasion of Syria by Turkey, it won’t have their backing: According to Russia’s Sputnik News on February 20th (http://sputniknews.com/world/20160220/1035066264/NATO-turkey-russia-syria.html), Luxembourg and Germany have already said no to participating in any such invasion. It seems that U.S. President Obama is trying to get other allies to support and participate in invading Syria, but hasn’t yet had any takers, except for the terrorist-supporting nations, only one of which (Turkey) is even in NATO. (Perhaps if he can get other NATO members to join, then he’ll call a halt to John Kerry’s negotiations with Russia. World War III could commence shortly after that.)
The big problem — which virtually no one in the West’s ’news’ media talks about — is that NATO didn’t end when the Warsaw Pact did, (http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2015/09/how-america-double-crossed-russia-and-shamed-the-west.html) but instead became a U.S.-run military club against the post-Soviet, non-communist, democratic nation of Russia. (http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2014/07/profits-ukraines-war.html)
Ending the corruption that’s behind all this will take forever. But something else is behind it that can and should be done more immediately.
End NATO Now. It has become urgent.
—————
Investigative historian Eric Zuesse is the author, most recently, of They’re Not Even Close: The Democratic vs. Republican Economic Records, 1910-2010 (http://www.amazon.com/Theyre-Not-Even-Close-Democratic/dp/1880026090/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1339027537&sr=8-9), and of CHRIST’S VENTRILOQUISTS: The Event that Created Christianity (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007Q1H4EG).

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mick silver

22nd February 2016, 11:04 AM

Obama: New World Order Agents Must Take Their Hats Off and Salute RussiaBy Jonas E. Alexis (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/alexis/) on February 22, 2016
Gordon Duff: "At will, Erdogan’s huge army trucks [weapons] to the coast and loads them onto boats, drowning some, pouring the rest into Greece, a nation he hates almost as much as he hates Russia and the Kurdish people.”
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/putin3.jpgKevin Barrett: “God bless President Putin, who is putting the fear of God into the New World Order.”

…by Jonas E. Alexis (http://www.veteranstoday.com/staff-writers/)
President Obama blew it again. In 2014, he underestimated Russia’s military power and said that it was only “regional.” But he has recently had a change of heart. He is now saying that Russia is actually “second-most powerful military in the world.”[1] (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/22/obama-new-world-order-agents-must-take-their-hats-off-and-salute-russia/#_ftn1) He moved on to say:
“Obviously a bunch of rebels are not going to be able to compete with the hardware of the second-most powerful military in the world.”[2] (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/22/obama-new-world-order-agents-must-take-their-hats-off-and-salute-russia/#_ftn2)
U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said something similar last November. Russia, he said, is upsetting “American preeminence.”[3] (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/22/obama-new-world-order-agents-must-take-their-hats-off-and-salute-russia/#_ftn3) If Carter meant to say that Russia continues to challenge the New World Order and its agents, then the answer is yes. In fact, Putin has raised a number of fundamental issues which the Zionist State of America has yet to answer. He said:
“Well, who on earth armed (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQuceU3x2Ww) [ISIS]? Who armed the Syrians that were fighting against Assad? Who created the necessary political/informational climate that facilitated the situation? Do you understand that [the Syrian rebels/terrorists] are paid money?”
NWO agents have never bothered to respond to that claim. They obviously knew that Putin would have presented serious documents to much of the world if they happened to challenge him. Remember how he caught Erdogan with his pants down?
One must still appreciate what Putin has done over the years. He is still out there making NWO agents look silly, despite the fact that they continue to attack Putin[4] (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/22/obama-new-world-order-agents-must-take-their-hats-off-and-salute-russia/#_ftn4) and accuse him of attacking civilians in Syria.[5] (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/22/obama-new-world-order-agents-must-take-their-hats-off-and-salute-russia/#_ftn5) Last year, Natasha Bertrand of Business Insider wrote in article entitled, “We just got the clearest sign yet that Russia doesn’t really care about fighting ISIS in Syria.”[6] (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/22/obama-new-world-order-agents-must-take-their-hats-off-and-salute-russia/#_ftn6)
Bertrand probably regretted writing that article because the evidence for Russia fighting ISIS in Syria is an embarrassment of riches. We are even told that “Vladimir Putin’s popularity in Syria is unparalleled.”[7] (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/22/obama-new-world-order-agents-must-take-their-hats-off-and-salute-russia/#_ftn7)
This obviously keeps NWO agents up at night because Putin has been supported by the vast majority of Syrians. This means that Syria, in a way, is a democracy because the vast majority of the population voted for Assad.
The New World Order, however, wants total chaos. They want to see blood. Not the blood of their sons and daughters, but the blood of innocent civilians in the region. As a result, they have to teeter on the edge of madness by demonizing Putin and Russia. As we all know, madness is at the heart of the New World Order.
If you doubt this claim, then consider this: why has Turkey bombed the Kurds inside Syria (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/21/neo-erdogans-plan-islamic-empire-or-armageddon/)? Don’t they know that the Kurds have been fighting ISIS? And why has the West (and America in particular), been protecting Turkey? As Gordon Duff (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/21/neo-erdogans-plan-islamic-empire-or-armageddon/) has recently put it, why has the Obama administration been sleeping with Turkey? Don’t they know that Turkey has been sleeping with ISIS and other gangsters?
You see, this simply does not make any sense at all. Gordon Duff rightly writes:
“Erdogan has destroyed Germany’s Merkel, whose popularity is at an all-time low. Erdogan has been very successful in the refugee war. It isn’t just the upheaval that has left the European Union in ruin. He has also filled Europe with terror cells, modeled on the Gladio model NATO had inflicted on itself during the last century in response to the Soviet threat.
“Europe is now honeycombed with weapons caches and terror cells while attempts to resist these efforts are derailed via claims of racist bigotry. This is where Erdogan was really clever. His terror armies, ISIS, the FSA, al Nusra, can round up tens of thousands of Syrians and herd them to the Turkish border.
“At will, Erdogan’s huge army trucks them to the coast and loads them onto boats, drowning some, pouring the rest into Greece, a nation he hates almost as much as he hates Russia and the Kurdish people.”
Erdogan’s policy is certainly creating chaos in the region.[8] (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/22/obama-new-world-order-agents-must-take-their-hats-off-and-salute-russia/#_ftn8) But we are being told by NWO agents that it is Putin who is the cause of the problem. Nothing could be further from the truth.
NWO agents still cannot confront one nagging problem: Putin has never challenged decent Americans who are just as real as decent Russians. In fact, it has been reported that Putin himself sent warnings to the Bush administrating before September 11, 2001.[9] (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/22/obama-new-world-order-agents-must-take-their-hats-off-and-salute-russia/#_ftn9)
The Bush administration dismissed those warnings altogether, and this led to a complete disaster. Condoleezza Rice, a political prostitute (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2015/11/06/condoleezza-rice-is-a-political-prostitute-and-lies-about-vladimir-putin/), later declared that on this issue, “Putin…was right.”[10] (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/22/obama-new-world-order-agents-must-take-their-hats-off-and-salute-russia/#_ftn10)
Well, Ms. Rice, Putin was right about many things. He was right about Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya,[11] (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/22/obama-new-world-order-agents-must-take-their-hats-off-and-salute-russia/#_ftn11) and now Syria. If we are brutally honest, Putin is defending Europe in Syria. As French Middle East expert Roland Lombardi has pointed out,
“One must be either blind or a complete idiot not to notice that, when Russia defends its interests in the Middle East, it is simultaneously defending the interests of Europe, and particularly those of France.”[12] (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/22/obama-new-world-order-agents-must-take-their-hats-off-and-salute-russia/#_ftn12)
Kevin Barrett again was right:
“God bless President Putin, who is putting the fear of God into the New World Order…”
[1] (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/22/obama-new-world-order-agents-must-take-their-hats-off-and-salute-russia/#_ftnref1) Quoted in ‘Russia a major military’: President Obama backtracks on Moscow’s defense capabilities,” Russia Today, February 18, 2016.
[2] (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/22/obama-new-world-order-agents-must-take-their-hats-off-and-salute-russia/#_ftnref2) Ibid.
[3] (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/22/obama-new-world-order-agents-must-take-their-hats-off-and-salute-russia/#_ftnref3) Ibid.
[4] (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/22/obama-new-world-order-agents-must-take-their-hats-off-and-salute-russia/#_ftnref4) See for example Evelyn Farkas, “How We Can Defeat Putin,” Newsweek, February 20, 2016.
[5] (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/22/obama-new-world-order-agents-must-take-their-hats-off-and-salute-russia/#_ftnref5) Pamela Enge, “People are ‘too afraid to go to hospitals’ in Syria — and it signals Russia’s gruesome endgame in the war,” Business Insider, February 21, 2016.
[6] (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/22/obama-new-world-order-agents-must-take-their-hats-off-and-salute-russia/#_ftnref6) Natasha Bertrand, “We just got the clearest sign yet that Russia doesn’t really care about fighting ISIS in Syria,” Business Insider, September 11, 2015.
[7] (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/22/obama-new-world-order-agents-must-take-their-hats-off-and-salute-russia/#_ftnref7) “Breaking Records: Vladimir Putin’s Popularity in Syria is Unparalleled,” Sputnik News, February 22, 2016.
[8] (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/22/obama-new-world-order-agents-must-take-their-hats-off-and-salute-russia/#_ftnref8) “Erdogan’s Nightmare of United Kurdistan Fuels Turkey’s ‘Misguided Policies,’” Sputnik News, February 22, 2016.
[9] (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/22/obama-new-world-order-agents-must-take-their-hats-off-and-salute-russia/#_ftnref9) Jiri ValentaLeni and Friedman Valenta, “Why Trump Was Right About Bush’s 9/11 Record,” National Interest, February 17, 2016.
[10] (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/22/obama-new-world-order-agents-must-take-their-hats-off-and-salute-russia/#_ftnref10) Ibid.
[11] (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/22/obama-new-world-order-agents-must-take-their-hats-off-and-salute-russia/#_ftnref11) For new developments on the disaster, see for example Joseph Hickman, The Burn Pits: The Poisoning of America’s Soldiers (New York: Hot Books, 2016).
[12] (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/22/obama-new-world-order-agents-must-take-their-hats-off-and-salute-russia/#_ftnref12) “‘One Must Be Blind Not to Realize That Russia is Defending Europe in Syria,’” Sputnik News, February 18, 2016.

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mick silver

22nd February 2016, 11:14 AM

This Is Huge: Evidence Builds Linking Israel, Turkey To ISISBreaking News (http://www.trueactivist.com/category/breaking-news/) · Most Popular (http://www.trueactivist.com/category/most-popular/) · News (http://www.trueactivist.com/category/news/) · War (http://www.trueactivist.com/category/news/war-news/)
Western lies are unravelling fast as Russia reveals explosive evidence that changes everything in Syria.

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You might have seen accusations (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/vladimir-putin/12030685/Vladimir-Putin-Terrorists-use-money-made-in-Turkey-to-launch-attacks-against-West-and-Africa.html) in the press this week that the Islamic State is selling oil to Russia. Apparently, Turkish President Reccep Tayyip Erdogan claims that Putin is one of the key buyers in Syria’s (http://www.trueactivist.com/thousands-in-europe-protest-against-bombing-syria/) dirty illegal oil trade. But don’t fall for it: the story now being peddled to us by the Western press is a panicked response to a major Russian exposé that first came to light last week. Actually, it’s our friend Turkey (http://www.trueactivist.com/anonymous-turkey-hacks-pm-erdogans-office-email-accounts/) who has been caught buying oil from the terrorist organization…and that’s not all. Recent revelations point to evidence that:

Erdogan’s son is dealing in illegal arms and oil with the Islamic State.
Russian satellite images show three main oil smuggling routes to and from Turkey.
Turkey shot down the Russian jet because it is defeating I.S and therefore interfering with Erdogan’s lucrative trade.
Somehow, despite the scale of the operation, The USA seems to have missed all of this.
There are also new claims (http://journal-neo.org/2015/11/25/israeli-colonel-caught-with-is-pants-down/) about an Iraqi security team who have evidence of a top Israeli military officer fraternizing with members of the I.S.
A journalist has uncovered evidence (http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2015/12/03/massacre-proves-turk-washington-complicity-in-syria-terror.html) the USA is complicit in a Turkish terror campaign against a Kurdish village last March. He claims the Turkish army waged this war on civilians alongside Islamic jihadists.

You may remember Putin accusing (http://www.trueactivist.com/must-watch-putin-blows-the-whistle-on-who-really-created-isis-and-how-it-continues-to-grow/) the USA of creating and arming the Islamic State (http://www.trueactivist.com/conclusive-evidence-the-usa-supported-emergence-of-isis/). In that interview, which we covered here (http://www.trueactivist.com/must-watch-putin-blows-the-whistle-on-who-really-created-isis-and-how-it-continues-to-grow/), the Russian President (http://www.trueactivist.com/putin-speaks-directly-to-the-american-people-and-what-he-says-makes-perfect-sense/) claimed the White House knows exactly which of its allies are buying the oil that allows I.S to keep on growing.
We’ve had to wait a while to find out who he was referring to, and this is big news. But these revelations are at risk of being lost in a quagmire of lies, as Erdogan, backed by Western intelligence agencies and their media lapdogs, has inverted the truth to distract and confuse the public.
When a Russian (http://www.trueactivist.com/40-of-russias-food-is-grown-from-dacha-gardens/) jet was downed by Turkey in late November, Putin said:

“We have every reason to think that the decision to shoot down our plane was dictated by the desire to protect the oil supply lines to Turkish territory.”
Two days ago, the Russian (http://www.trueactivist.com/russia-completely-bans-gmos-in-food-production/) Defense Ministry held a major briefing on new findings concerning IS funding in Moscow (see video). According to Russia’s Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov, up to 2,000 fighters, 120 tons of ammunition and 250 vehicles have been delivered to Islamic State and Al-Nusra militants from Turkish territory.

“Terrorism without money is an animal without teeth,” Antonov declared, saying Russia (http://www.trueactivist.com/massive-russian-tesla-tower-shown-in-new-drone-footage/) was determined to fight the Islamic State. He pointed out that attacking the source of their wealth is the logical key to defeating them. Antonov showed satellite evidence that Turkey is involved in a large-scale illegal smuggling campaign, and said:

“Today, we are presenting only some of the facts that confirm that a whole team of bandits and Turkish elites stealing oil from their neighbors is operating in the region.”
He claimed there are thousands of trucks and live oil pipelines involved.

“According to our data, the top political leadership of the country- President Erdogan and his family- is involved in this criminal business.”
“These [airstrikes] helped reduce the trade of the oil illegally extracted on the Syrian territory, by almost 50 per cent,” Antonov says, adding: “The income of this terrorist organization was about $3 million per day. After two months of Russian airstrikes their income was about $1.5 million a day.”
Turkey is certainly getting a lot of attention, but it has overshadowed other important news (http://www.globalresearch.ca/guess-who-is-behind-the-islamic-state-israeli-colonel-caught-with-is-pants-down/5491582). A claim by the Iraqi security forces could point to Israel as a suspect in the terrorist group’s training and operations command.
In another massive revelation, FARS news agency reports (http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940730000210) that Iraqi security forces recently took an Israeli colonel hostage, along with the Islamic State militants he was accompanying. The Iraqi army commander told the agency that the Israeli (http://www.trueactivist.com/activist-and-former-israeli-bomber-says-i-was-part-of-a-terror-organization/) militant “had participated in the ISIL group’s terrorist operations.”
The colonel was arrested along with the jihadists, and the Iraqi commander even specified the traitor’s name and dog collar number:

“The Israeli (http://www.trueactivist.com/fox-news-deleted-report-in-wake-of-911-israeli-spies-could-be-linked-to-attacks/) colonel’s name is Yusi Oulen Shahak and is ranked colonel in Golani Brigade with the security and military code of Re34356578765az231434.”
The Iraqi commander said (http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940730000210) it wasn’t the first time Israelis had been caught with Islamic State militants, but they had never before found a high ranking officer. Iraq also claims (http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940730000210) that I.S drones with Israeli-made labels have been shot down on two occasions.
Along with Israel’s Netanyahu, Reccep Tayyip Erdogan is far more of a tyrant than Vladimir Putin. His military is targeting Kurdish (https://www.rt.com/news/syria-kurds-massacre-lavrov-132/) citizens, an ethnic group with their own language who are alienated in their own country. Most anti-Kurdish atrocities at the Turkish government’s hand have been ignored by the mainstream media, although a few independent journalists have uncovered clues (http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2015/12/03/massacre-proves-turk-washington-complicity-in-syria-terror.html) that (like the downing (http://www.counterpunch.org/2015/11/24/an-invisible-us-hand-leading-to-war-turkeys-downing-of-a-russian-jet-was-an-act-of-madness/)of the Russian jet) Turkey’s actions have the USA’s approval.
President Erdogan has crushed civil liberties during his time in power, and responded with extreme violence during Turkish protests against his leadership. Other Western allies such as Qatar (http://www.trueactivist.com/death-corruption-and-the-true-face-of-fifa-world-cup-soccer/), Israel (http://www.trueactivist.com/new-global-coalition-of-jews-attacks-israels-occupation-of-palestine/) and Saudi (http://www.trueactivist.com/how-did-the-country-that-beheads-and-crucifies-protesters-win-a-place-on-the-u-n-human-rights-council/) Arabia (http://www.trueactivist.com/syrian-president-says-us-government-and-saudi-arabia-created-al-qaeda/)are also known for their horrendous repression and human rights records, yet Putin- the only leader who is actually doing anything to crush the terrorist cell- always attracts the most criticism from the Western press. (http://www.trueactivist.com/russian-leader-warns-get-all-money-out-of-western-banks-now/)
Erdogan strongly denies Russia’s allegations, and has said he will resign if it can be proved he’s lying. Judging by the following image and Antonov’s statement in full, it the corrupt President should be packing his bags as we speak.

http://ta1.universaltelegra.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/565ef33ac461884f3d8b45bc.jpg (http://ta1.universaltelegra.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/565ef33ac461884f3d8b45bc.jpg)Russian satellite images of the ISIS oil hub with 3,000 trucks transporting oil to Turkey. Strangely enough, the USA hadn’t spotted it. Credit: RT/Russian military

Please share this news (http://www.trueactivist.com/10-disturbing-facts-about-the-mainstream-media/) to counteract (http://www.trueactivist.com/watch-this-outspoken-journalist-sum-up-real-reasons-for-paris-attacks/) the incredible (http://www.trueactivist.com/ken-okeefe-in-another-epic-rant-on-paris-isis-and-media-lies/) lies (http://www.trueactivist.com/journalist-each-war-is-preceded-by-a-big-media-lie/) now being spread (http://www.trueactivist.com/investigative-journalist-for-cbs-news-exposes-how-mainstream-media-brainwashes-the-public/) by the Western (http://www.trueactivist.com/bbc-journalist-comes-clean-believe-nothing-you-read-or-watch/) media (http://www.trueactivist.com/reporter-all-news-is-fake-controlled-by-government-and-intelligence-agencies/).
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Joshua01

22nd February 2016, 12:23 PM

mick silver

22nd February 2016, 01:00 PM

Report: Putin Threatens Turkey With Tactical NukesMoscow warns Ankara that it will fiercely resist an invasion of Syria Paul Joseph Watson - February 22, 2016 363 Comments (http://www.infowars.com/report-putin-threatens-turkey-with-tactical-nukes/#disqus_thread)

http://hw.infowars.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/putin-finger.jpg (http://www.infowars.com/report-putin-threatens-turkey-with-tactical-nukes/)Image Credits: World Economic Forum, Wikimedia Commons.

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Award-winning Iran-Contra journalist Robert Parry has been told by a source close to Vladimir Putin that Russia has threatened Turkey with the use of tactical nuclear weapons if it launches a joint invasion of Syria with Saudi Arabia.Writing for Consortium News (https://consortiumnews.com/2016/02/18/risking-nuclear-war-for-al-qaeda/), Parry warns that the risk of the United States and its allies escalating the conflict in Syria to rescue rebels who are now on the verge of defeat could spark “World War III”.

“If Turkey (with hundreds of thousands of troops massed near the Syrian border) and Saudi Arabia (with its sophisticated air force) follow through on threats and intervene militarily to save their rebel clients, who include Al Qaeda’s Nusra Front, from a powerful Russian-backed Syrian government offensive, then Russia will have to decide what to do to protect its 20,000 or so military personnel inside Syria,” writes Parry.

“A source close to Russian President Vladimir Putin told me that the Russians have warned Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Moscow is prepared to use tactical nuclear weapons if necessary to save their troops in the face of a Turkish-Saudi onslaught. Since Turkey is a member of NATO, any such conflict could quickly escalate into a full-scale nuclear confrontation.”
Parry’s background suggests the information should be treated seriously. He covered the Iran-Contra scandal for the Associated Press and Newsweek and was later given a George Polk award for his work on intelligence matters.
According to Parry, although President Obama has “sought to calm Erdogan down and made clear that the U.S. military would not join the invasion,” he has been “unwilling to flatly prohibit such an intervention”.
Moscow’s alleged threat to repel a Turkish invasion of Syria with nuclear weapons follows comments by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in which he warned of a new world war (http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/02/syria-russian-pm-warns-world-war-troops-160212074839609.html) if the United States and its allies send ground troops into Syria.
Turkey and Saudi Arabia have both signaled they are considering a ground invasion of Syria in order to aid refugees and so-called “moderate rebels” fighting against the Assad regime.
Last week, Turkish officials called for (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/16/turkey-safe-zone-syria-refugees-russian-airstrikes) a “safe zone” to be established within Syria to allow refugees to flee Russia’s advance, although the United States argued that such a corridor could not be set up without a no fly zone.
Saudi Arabia is currently conducting (http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/02/saudi-arabia-military-exercises-goal-iran-isis-yemen.html#) the biggest wargames the region has seen for a quarter of a century. Northern Thunder involves 150,000 troops from 20 countries and is viewed by some as a precursor to a possible invasion of Syria.
Earlier this month, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir told CNN (http://edition.cnn.com/2016/02/13/middleeast/saudi-arabia-assad-force/) that President Bashar al-Assad will have to be removed “by force” if the political process fails.
Despite official denials that the kingdom possesses nuclear weapons, Saudi political analyst told RT’s Arabic network (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXuJkVPRjNI) last week that the Saudis have indeed obtained the bomb and that tests will be conducted soon.SUBSCRIBE on YouTube:

mick silver

22nd February 2016, 01:04 PM

Would Russia Use Nukes to Defend Khmeimim Airbase in Syria?The Russian Federation reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in response to the use against herThe Unz Review (http://www.unz.com/tsaker/week-nineteen-of-the-russian-intervention-in-syria-would-russia-use-nukes-to-defend-khmeimim/) - February 21, 2016 469 Comments (http://www.infowars.com/would-russia-use-nukes-to-defend-khmeimim/#disqus_thread)

http://hw.infowars.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/russian-use-nukes-syria.jpg (http://www.infowars.com/would-russia-use-nukes-to-defend-khmeimim/)

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The past week saw no decrease in the tense confrontation between Turkey and Russia over Syria. While Russia’s position is simple – ‘we are ready to fight’ – the Turkish position is much more ambiguous: Turkish politicians are saying one thing, then the opposite and then something else again. At times they make it sound like an invasion is imminent (http://russia-insider.com/en/turkey-confirms-military-strikes-against-assad-russia-looks-seal-syrian-turkish-border-force/ri12830), and at times they say that “Turkey plans no unilateral (http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-turkey-idUSKCN0VE100)invasion (http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-turkey-idUSKCN0VE100)”. Since a UN authorized invasion of Syria will never happen, this means some kind of “coalition of the willing”, possibly NATO. The problem here is that the Europeans have no desire to end up in a war against Russia (http://sputniknews.com/world/20160220/1035066264/NATO-turkey-russia-syria.html). At the same time, the US and France refuse to allow a UN Resolution which would reaffirm the sovereignty of Syria (https://www.rt.com/news/333042-syria-sovereignty-un-resolution/). Yup, that’s right. The US and France apparently think that the UN Charter (which affirms the sovereignty of all countries) does not apply to Syria. Go figure…There are persistent rumors that top Turkish military commanders, categorically oppose any attack on Syria and that they want no part in a war with Russia. I don’t blame them one bit as they understand perfectly well two simple things: first, Turkey does not need a war, only Erdogan does; second, when Turkey is defeated, Erdogan will blame the military. There are also signs of disagreements inside the USA over the prospects of such a war, with the Neocons backing Erdogan and pushing him towards war just as they had done with Saakashvili while the White House and Foggy Bottom are telling Erdogan to “cool it”. As for the Turks themselves, they have shelled Kurdish and Syrian positions across the border and, on at least two occasions, a small military force has been seen crossing the border.
From a purely military point of view, it makes absolutely no sense for the Turks to mass at the border, declare that they are about to invade, then stop, do some shelling and then only send a few little units across the border. What the Turks should have done was to covertly begin to increase the level of readiness of their forces then and then attacked as soon as Russians detected their preparations even if that meant that they would have to initiate combat operations before being fully mobilized and ready. The advantages of a surprise attack are so big that almost every other consideration has to be put aside in order to achieve it. The Turks did the exact opposite: they advertised their intentions to invade and once their forces were ready, they simply stopped at the border and began issuing completely contradictory declarations. This makes absolutely no sense at all.
What complicates this already chaotic situation is that Erdogan is clearly a lunatic and that there appears to the at least the possibility of some serious infighting between the Turkish political leaders and the military.

Furthermore, there appears to be some very bad blood between the USA and the Erdogan regime. Things got so bad that Erdogan’s chief adviser, Seref Malkoc, said that Turkey might deny the US the use of the Incirlik Air Base for strikes against ISIL if the US does not name the YPG as a terrorist group (http://www.todayszaman.com/diplomacy_turkey-us-dispute-over-syrian-kurdish-pyd-widens_412796.html). Erdogan later repudiated this statement (http://vz.ru/news/2016/2/19/795405.html), but the fact remains that the Turks are now directly blackmailing the USA. If Erdogan and his advisors seriously believe that they can publicly blackmail a superpower like the USA then their days are numbered. At the very least, this kind of irresponsible outbursts shows that the Turks are really crumbling under the pressure they themselves have created.
Still, the fact that Turkey has not invaded yet is a tiny minute sign that maybe, just maybe, the Turks will give up on this crazy notion or that they will limit themselves to a ‘mini-invasion’ just a few miles across the border. The military would probably prefer such a minimal face saving option, but what about Erdogan and the crazies around him?
Maybe the Turkish military ought to realize that the country is ruled by the madman and do something about it?
Still, the Russians are taking no chances and they have put all their forces into high alert. They have very publicly dispatched a Tu-214r (http://theaviationist.com/2016/02/15/tu214r-deployed-to-syria/) – her most advanced ISR (Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance) aircraft. You can think of the Tu-214R as an “AWACS for the ground” (http://rbth.com/defence/2016/02/19/russias-state-of-the-art-tu-214r-spy-plane-arrives-in-syria_569263), the kind of aircraft you use to monitor a major ground battle (the regular Russian A-50Ms are already monitoring the Syrian airspace). In southern Russia, the Aerospace forces have organized large-scale exercises involving a large number of aircraft which would be used in a war against Turkey: SU-34s. The Airborne Forces are ready. The naval task forces off the Syrian coast is being augmented. The delivery of weapons has accelerated. The bottom line is simple and obvious: the Russians are not making any threats – they are preparing for war. In fact, by now they are ready.
This leaves an important question to be asked: what would the Russians do if their still relatively small force in Syria is attacked and over-run by the Turks? Would the Russian use nuclear weapons?
At least one reporter, Robert Parry, as written the following (https://consortiumnews.com/2016/02/18/risking-nuclear-war-for-al-qaeda/): “A source close to Russian President Vladimir Putin told me that the Russians have warned Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Moscow is prepared to use tactical nuclear weapons if necessary to save their troops in the face of a Turkish-Saudi onslaught”. Is that really possible? Would the Russians really use nuclear weapons of things get ugly in Syria?
The Russian Military Doctrine (http://www.rg.ru/2014/12/30/doktrina-dok.html) is very clear on the use of nuclear weapons by Russia. This is the relevant paragraph:
27. The Russian Federation reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in response to the use against her and (or) her allies of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction, as well as in the case of aggression against the Russian Federation with the use of conventional weapons in a way which would threaten her very existence as a state. The decision to use nuclear weapons is taken by the President of the Russian Federation.

There is no ambiguity here. Unless Russia is threatened as a state she will not use nuclear weapons. Some will, no doubt, say that the official military doctrine is one thing, but the reality in Syria is another one and if the Turks overrun Khmeimim Russia will have no other option than to use nukes. There is a precedent for that kind of logic: when the US deployed the 82nd Airborne in Saudi Arabia as part of Desert Shield the Pentagon fully understood that if the much larger Iraqi army invaded Saudi Arabia the 82ndwould be destroyed. It was hoped that the USAF and USN could provide enough air sorties to stop the Iraqi advance, but if not it was understood that tactical nuclear weapons would be used. The situation in Syria is different.
For one thing, the Russian task force in Syria is not an infantry tripwire force like the 82nd in Iraq. The terrain and the opposing forces are also very different. Second, the Russian contingent in Syria can count on the firepower and support of the Russian Navy in the Caspian and Mediterranean and the Russian Aerospace Forces from Russia proper. Last but not least, the Russians can count in the support of the Syrian military, Iranian forces, Hezbollah and, probably, the Syrian Kurds (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-02-18/kurds-warn-turkey-of-big-war-with-russia-if-troops-enter-syria)who are now openly (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-02-18/kurds-warn-turkey-of-big-war-with-russia-if-troops-enter-syria)joining the 4+1 alliance (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-02-18/kurds-warn-turkey-of-big-war-with-russia-if-troops-enter-syria) (Russia, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Hezbollah) turning it into a 4+2 alliance I suppose.
There is one important feature of this 4+2 alliance which ought to really give the Turks a strong incentive to be very careful before taking any action: every member of this 4+2 alliance has an extensive military experience, a much better one than the Turkish military. The modern Turkish military is much more similar to the Israeli military in 2006 – it has a great deal of experience terrorizing civilians and it is not a force trained to fight “real” wars. There is a very real risk for the Turks that if they really invade Syria they might end up facing the same nightmare as the Israelis did when they invaded Lebanon in 2006.
In the meantime, the Russian backed Syrian forces are still advancing. Since the beginning of their counter-offensive the Syrians have succeeded in recapturing all of the strategic locations in western Syria in slow and incremental steps and they are now threatening Raqqa. See for yourself:

The bottom line is this: the size and capabilities of the Russian task force in Syria has been expanding and the level of collaborations between the elements of the 4+2 alliance has been increasing. Add to this the capability to deploy a regimental-size (and fully mechanized) Airborne force in Latakia if needed, and you will begin to see that the Turks would be taking a major risk if they attacked Russian forces even if Russia does not threaten the use of tactical nukes. In fact, I don’t see any scenario short of a massive US/NATO attack under which Russia would use her tactical nuclear weapons.
Frankly, this situation is far from resolved. It is no coincidence that just when a ceasefire was supposed to come into effect two terrorist attacks in Turkey are oh-so-conveniently blamed on the Kurds. It sure looks like somebody is trying hard to set Turkey on a collision course with Russia, doesn’t it?
Making predictions about what the Turks and their Saudi friends will do makes no sense. We are clearly dealing with two regimes which are gradually “losing it”: they are lashing out at everybody (including their US patrons), they are terrified of their own minorities (Kurds and Shia) and their propensity for violence and terror is only matched by their inability in conventional warfare. Does that remind you of somebody else?Of course! The Ukronazis fit this picture perfectly. Well, guess what, they are dreaming of forming an anti-Russian alliance with the Turks now (http://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2016/02/01/ukraine-open-to-military-cooperation-with-turkey-in-black-sea-ukrainian-fm-says). Amazing no? Just imagine what a Ukrainian-Turkish-Saudi alliance would look like: a real life “Islamo-Fascist” gang of thugs combining hateful fanaticism, corruption, violence, strident nationalism and military incompetence. A toxic combination for sure, but not a viable one.

mick silver

22nd February 2016, 01:06 PM

SAUDI ARABIA, TURKEY AND ISRAEL AGITATE FOR MORE AMERICAN INVOLVEMENTSource: Shadow Proof
Next Cold War 2/22/16Saber Rattling Saudi FM Tells Der Spiegel Saudis Want Syrian Rebels MANPADs._ “In an interview, Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir expresses his continued support for regime change in Syria and his desire for rebels to be supplied with anti-aircraft missiles that could shift the balance of power in the war. (http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-saudi-foreign-minister-adel-al-jubeir-on-syrian-war-a-1078337.html)” He also said the decision is up to the anti-ISIS coalition.
_ To get a sense of the Saudi FM, watch this video (https://www.securityconference.de/en/media-library/video/statements-by-mohammad-ashraf-ghani-haider-al-abadi-and-adel-bin-ahmed-al-jubeir/filter/video/?tx_dreipctvmediacenter_mediacenter%5Bvenue%5D=36&cHash=dd95c253c503db551d8e5a9a6da80645) of his speech at the Munich Security Conference.
_ WaPo reports that “concerns have mounted about its expanding military involvement in the conflict (https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/concerns-in-saudi-arabia-over-signs-of-more-military-involvement-in-syria/2016/02/21/76ef6008-d588-11e5-b195-2e29a4e13425_story.html?postshare=7881456149713628&tid=ss_tw-bottom)” as Saudis, including their foreign minister, ‘flex their muscles’ and say they can handle another war in Syria while they continue their war on Yemen. An anonymous “political observer” who is close to “senior officials” in Saudi Arabia said “Our economy is really struggling, and yet some leaders come out and say things that could get us caught up in a war in Syria against Russia […] I think there’s a sense that we’ve lost an ability to look at things realistically.” WaPo believes this is in reference to the young Saudi defense minister, Mohammed bin Salman. It might be another sign of a shake up in the royal palace.
_ Other sources say the Saudis see Iran and Russia winning in Syria as a threat to their security but think their options are limited. What they’re really trying to do is get their “principal allies engaged again. (https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/concerns-in-saudi-arabia-over-signs-of-more-military-involvement-in-syria/2016/02/21/76ef6008-d588-11e5-b195-2e29a4e13425_story.html?postshare=7881456149713628&tid=ss_tw-bottom)” In other words, get the US to step in and fight their battle. Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi says the saber rattling is “more of a test of U.S. support for the kingdom’s policies” where they fear the Obama administration will no longer back them on Syria.
Israel Openly Sides With Syrian Rebels, Says West Must Back New “Third Force” of “Less Extreme” Sunni Jihadists and Kurds

_ “Israel is changing its approach to Syria war […] Israeli official believe West must intervene in favor of moderate rebels (http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-1.704437?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&v=52AE9707E9DDDB44E1D565DEA39D50B7) […] Israel has been quietly wishing success to both sides and would not have been against the bloodletting continuing for a few more years without a clear victor.” Israel wants to form a “third force” with “less extreme Sunni rebels” and wants to turn the Kurdish militias against the Syrian government. At the moment, the Syrian Kurds, YPG, are cooperating with the Assad government and the Syria/Russia coalition. The Syrian forces are beginning to recapture the border of the border of the Golan Heights, most of which was under rebel control.
_ Israel reportedly no longer objects to Syrian opposition having portable anti-aircraft missiles (https://twitter.com/sayed_ridha/status/701255755618324480), MANPADS
ISIS Suicide Attacks in Homs and Damascus_ “A string of suicide bombings near a Shiite shrine outside Syria’s capital and in Homs claimed by jihadists killed at least 150 people Sunday (http://news.yahoo.com/double-bomb-attack-kills-14-syrias-homs-075829593.html), as Washington and Moscow worked to secure a ceasefire.” A car bombing near Damascus and two suicide attacks near another Shiite shrine, Sayyida Zeinab, killed 96 people and 178 injured.
_ The reported numbers of casualties still vary (http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/21/middleeast/syria-civil-war/) as CNN reports at least 122 people killed and scores injured and BBC reports 140 killed (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35628815).
_ Russia’s foreign ministry condemned the attacks and said they were aimed at “subverting attempts” to reach a political settlement (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35628815).
Oil Revenue Loss Hurting ISIS, Kurdistan, Turkey_ KRG announced that they’ve lost $14 million from the cessation of “crude oil exports from the region to Ceyhan Port have been interrupted (http://www.nrttv.com/EN/Details.aspx?Jimare=5480#.Vsql5wb7068.twitter) since an attack on the pipeline on February 16″ which hurts its ability to pay the Peshmerga fighters. This and other issues have caused serious trouble to the finances of Iraqi Kurdistan, which wasn’t in particularly good shape to begin with, but the attack on the Ceyhan Pipeline plus the drop in oil prices, refugees, and budget disputes with the Baghdad government have brought it to crisis level.
_ Al Rai war correspondent Magnier writes that ISIS hasn’t been paying salaries to their fighters in northern Syria in awhile either. “No oil, no money, no Jihad (https://twitter.com/EjmAlrai/status/701355149927682048).”
_ ISIS is rigging the USD – Iraqi dinar exchange rate (http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-iraq-mosul-idUSKCN0VV1FO)to “prop up finances” and “squeeze money out of local people as coalition bombers attack the group’s finances” as they sell goods in dollars but pay fighters and public workers in dinars.
Russia-Turkey Crisis_ Russian Foreign Ministry Briefing, Friday 2/18/16: Transcript (http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/news/-/asset_publisher/cKNonkJE02Bw/content/id/2103129)
_ Turkey calls for unconditional support from US (http://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-security-idUSKCN0VT0S1). “If 28 Turkish lives have been claimed through a terrorist attack we can only expect them to say any threat against Turkey is a threat against them.” US State Dept. said Washington would continue to support ground forces who are effective against ISIS. YPG is the most effective fighting force among US allies.
Kerry Calls for Al Qaeda to be Exempt From Airstrikes. Vague provisional ceasefire announced._ Over the weekend and for a few days before that, US media has started to report that the US is fighting a proxy war against itself (http://www.buzzfeed.com/mikegiglio/america-is-now-fighting-a-proxy-war-with-itself-in-syria?utm_term=.enyzooBqXd), where US-backed Kurds are fighting US-backed unicorn moderate Syrian rebels. Even those who don’t follow the extremely complicated war closely enough to understand what’s really going on can understand how crazy this policy is.
_ Friday’s UN Security Council meeting ended without a resolution after Russia called for Turkey to stop shelling across the border into Syria and for countries to tone down extremist and inflammatory rhetoric. But the US, UK and France refused to support the resolution and in fact reneged (http://www.moonofalabama.org/2016/02/us-ignores-own-unsc-resolution-tells-russia-stop-bombing-al-qaeda.html#more)on important provisions of the recent and very important UN Resolution 2254 (http://www.un.org/press/en/2015/sc12171.doc.htm), which called for a ceasefire against opposition fighters while the opposition would join the fight against ISIS and al Qaeda. Some time in the past week, Kerry decided to try to exclude al Qaeda from any attacks and also reneged on the provision for Syrian territorial integrity (https://www.rt.com/politics/333080-russian-senator-warns-of-dire/).
_ On Saturday, John Kerry announced a provisional ceasefire has been reached but “it’s not finalized and all parties might not automatically comply (http://bigstory.ap.org/urn:publicid:ap.org:0655c8afae8c402d92ffe65ae8ce60 64).” He said he had discussed the terms with Russian FM Lavrov by phone but that they both need to reach out to the opposition. He hoped that Obama and Putin would talk soon.
Iran_ Reports of Iranian air force operating in Syria (https://twitter.com/EjmAlrai/status/701260108248928260).
Aleppo_ Syrian army and allies compelted encirclement of ISIS in East Aleppo (http://southfront.org/map-%D1%81omplete-encirclement-in-east-aleppo/)_
_ Syrian forces recaptured Aleppo’s thermal power plant (https://twitter.com/Ibra_Joudeh/status/701047237166628864/photo/1)

Afghanistan_ “US Airstrikes in Afghanistan Killing Civilians at Greatest Rate for Seven Years, New Figures Show (http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/02/18/us-airstrikes-afghanistan-killing-civilians-greatest-rate-seven-years-new-figures)”
_ “Afghan forces have pulled out of bases in Musa Qala, a strategic district of the southern province of Helmand (https://news.vice.com/article/taliban-captures-key-helmand-district-after-afghan-forces-decide-to-pull-out)“. Taliban moved in and reported that it had captured heavy equipment abandoned upon withdrawal. British and American troops “fought hard to control” this district from 2006-2008. “General John Campbell, recently sent hundreds of American troops to Helmand, where they assist and train Afghan forces but do not fight.”
Assad_ Russian diplomat Gennady Gatilov told Spiegel: (https://www.rt.com/news/332477-assad-democratic-reforms-violence/#.VsHyTgc9Jh8.twitter)

“Bashar Assad could have prevented the escalation if he had taken democratic reforms in time. Without them, the conflict continued to spread. It drew the attention of terrorist groups [and] created a breeding environment for them,” he added.
_ New Assad interview with Spanish media, El Pais (http://www.syriareport.net/assad-after-10-years-syria-will-be-safe-and-i-will-be-the-man-who-saved-his-country/).
Libya_ EU’s Operation SOPHIA against human traffickers might include “sending ground troops to war-torn Libya (https://news.vice.com/article/leaked-document-indicates-there-may-soon-be-eu-military-involvement-in-libya)” according to a document leaked to Wikileaks and VICE Alps.

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mick silver

23rd February 2016, 05:25 AM

mick silver

24th February 2016, 06:02 AM

Syria truce center launched at Khmeimim airbase, Russia hands over hotline contact to USBy GPD (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/admin/) on February 23, 2016

Russian servicemen at the Hmeimim military base in Syria © Dmitriy Vinogradov / Sputnik

A coordination center to reconcile the warring parties in Syria has started its work at the Khmeimin airbase near Latakia, Russia’s Defense Ministry says. Moscow has also handed over the hotline contact to the US, as required by the joint plan to monitor the truce.
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/lido_987.jpg
The coordination center created at the airbase Russia has been using for its anti-terror campaign in Syria will monitor the various sides’ compliance with the ceasefire.
It also plans to help establish contacts between the Syrian government and the opposition, the Defense Ministry’s spokesman, Major General Igor Konashenkov, said in a statement Tuesday.
The center will “render the maximum assistance” to everyone who applies to it, Konashenkov said. This however excludes Islamic State and Al-Nusra militants as well as other terrorist groups designated by the UN Security Council.
https://cdn.rt.com/files/2016.02/thumbnail/56cc34acc4618835798b457c.jpg (https://www.rt.com/news/333338-syria-accepts-ceasefire-deal/)
Syria backs US & Russia-brokered ceasefire ‘if fight against terrorists continues’ – media (https://www.rt.com/news/333338-syria-accepts-ceasefire-deal/)

Opposition groups, who decide to observe a ceasefire and launch peace talks, will be able to apply to the center 24 hours a day via a common telephone number.
The center will also assist in delivering humanitarian aid, Konashenkov said.
In the meantime, Moscow has handed over contact details to the US military and now awaits reciprocal information from Washington. The hotlines on monitoring the ceasefire in Syria are to be established between the two countries under their agreement from February 22.
On Monday, the US and Russia reached an agreement on a Syrian nationwide ceasefire plan and adopted “Terms for a Cessation of Hostilities in Syria” – a document that outlines major aspects of the future truce.
According to the plan, the ceasefire is due to begin Thursday at 22:00 GMT, and all the parties should voice their agreement by 10:00 GMT. The truce will be applied to all parties of the Syrian conflict excluding Islamic State, Al-Nusra Front and other terrorist organizations.
Moscow and Washington agreed to establish a hotline and work together to contribute to the Syrian peace process. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Barack Obama welcomed the plan.
The Syrian government accepted the terms of a ceasefire deal and pledged to coordinate with Russia to decide which groups and areas would be included in the “cessation of hostilities” plan, SANA news agency reported, citing sources in the Syrian Foreign Ministry.
Damascus also reportedly stressed that military operations against Islamic State, Al Nusra and other terrorist organizations linked to it, and Al Qaeda should continue.

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Neuro

24th February 2016, 07:45 AM

Let's hope that the ceasefire deal in Syria will hold. However Turkey and Saudi Arabia will probably work hard trying to sabotage it, they want a Sunni Caliphate and these goals are becoming increasingly transparent and obvious. They have only payed lip service to destroying the terror networks of Al Qaeda/Nusra and ISIS, secretly supporting them by buying the oil supplying them with guns and attacking their enemies, Kurdish forces and regular Syrian army, even shooting down a Russian Jet...

mick silver

24th February 2016, 09:21 AM

Russian Warplanes Strike Almost 200 Terrorist Targets in Syria in Two Days© Photo: Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

Middle East (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/)16:44 24.02.2016(updated 18:15 24.02.2016) Get short URL
Topic:
Russia Versus ISIL in Syria (543) (http://sputniknews.com/trend/russia_versus_isil_in_syria/)

6 (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160224/1035271269/russian-warplanes-syria-airstrikes.html#comments)3392500

Russian jets carried out 187 airstrikes on terrorist targets in Syria in the course of 62 sorties during the past two days, the Russian Defense Ministry spokesman said Wednesday. Areas where warring sides agreed to cease hostilities and start negotiations were not targeted, he emphasized.The Russian Aerospace Forces continue to attack militant groups in Syria which are not included in the cessation of hostilities agreement and are designated as terrorist organizations by the UN, Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said.
"During the past two days, 187 targets in the provinces of Hama, Raqqa (http://sputniknews.com/politics/20151011/1028343829/russia-hits-isil-targets-hama-latakia-idlib-raqqa.html), Deir ez-Zor (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160214/1034741605/syrian-army-daesh-terrorists.html), Aleppo and Homs were struck in the course of 62 sorties."
A Su-34 bomber (http://sputniknews.com/videoclub/20160215/1034764412/su-34-su-24-su-25-syria-video.html) destroyed over 10 strongholds and neutralized more than 50 militants in the Hama province, he elaborated.
"The intensity of Russian airstrikes in Syria fell significantly in the past two days, especially in areas where local authorities and armed groups have agreed to cease hostilities and start negotiations. We are not targeting those areas at all," Konashenkov said.
The spokesman emphasized that airstrikes are conducted only against militant groups designated as terrorist organization by the United Nations.
"The agreement between Russia and the US [on cessation of hostilities in Syria] does not apply to Daesh, al-Nusra Front and other militants, designated as terrorist organizations by the UN Security Council."
On Monday, US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced that an agreement on cessation of hostilities (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160222/1035176230/us-russia-syria-ceasefire.html) between the Syrian government of President Bashar Assad and the armed opposition factions had been reached. The agreement will come into force on February 27.
Russia has been fighting terrorists in Syria since September 30 at President Assad's request.

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Topic:
Russia Versus ISIL in Syria (543) (http://sputniknews.com/trend/russia_versus_isil_in_syria/)

Related:Russian Planes Will Deliver UN Humanitarian Aid to Syria's Deir ez-Zor (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160217/1034907601/deir-ez-zor-humanitarian-aid-russia.html)Straight Shooters: Russian Planes Never Miss Their Targets in Syria (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20151227/1032364526/russia-syria-airstrike-targets.html)Pentagon: Russian Planes Fighting ISIL in Syria Pose No Threat to US Drones (http://sputniknews.com/military/20151008/1028183623/Russian-Planes-No-Threat-to-US-Drones.html)
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Read more: http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160224/1035271269/russian-warplanes-syria-airstrikes.html#ixzz416SLL2hx

mick silver

24th February 2016, 12:36 PM

America Is Now Fighting A Proxy War With Itself In Syria (http://www.cryptogon.com/?p=48267)February 20th, 2016
Via: BuzzFeed (http://www.buzzfeed.com/mikegiglio/america-is-now-fighting-a-proxy-war-with-itself-in-syria#.pxn62zG13):
American proxies are now at war with each other in Syria.
Officials with Syrian rebel battalions that receive covert backing from one arm of the U.S. government told BuzzFeed News that they recently began fighting rival rebels supported by another arm of the U.S. government.
The infighting between American proxies is the latest setback for the Obama administration’s Syria policy and lays bare its contradictions as violence in the country gets worse.
The confusion is playing out on the battlefield — with the U.S. effectively engaged in a proxy war with itself. “It’s very strange, and I cannot understand it,” said Ahmed Othman, the commander of the U.S.-backed rebel battalion Furqa al-Sultan Murad, who said he had come under attack from U.S.-backed Kurdish militants in Aleppo this week.
Furqa al-Sultan Murad receives weapons from the U.S. and its allies as part of a covert program, overseen by the CIA, that aids rebel groups struggling to overthrow the government of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, according to rebel officials and analysts tracking the conflict.
The Kurdish militants, on the other hand, receive weapons and support from the Pentagon as part of U.S. efforts to fight ISIS. Known as the People’s Protection Units, or YPG, they are the centerpiece of the Obama administration’s strategy against the extremists in Syria and coordinate regularly with U.S. airstrikes http://www.cryptogon.com/?p=48267

Joshua01

24th February 2016, 12:38 PM

Neuro

24th February 2016, 12:59 PM

This isn't the hope and change I was expecting!
Obama's reign has not really had any consistent strategy regarding Middle East at all. They decided to try and change some of the more secular regimes (foremost Egypt, Libya and Syria) of the Middle East, by supporting extremists and fundamentalist regimes, and then they hoped it would go well, as it didn't they have started flip flopping. This above of course is based upon the Obama regime didn't do it out of Ill will. If the purpose was to destabilize the Middle East with a following world war, then their strategy was perfect and consistent with that goal.

Glass

24th February 2016, 07:21 PM

The ukraine question is still there in the background.

I expect that they are trying to get Russia to build up a big portion of their forces in Syria, then they will smash Ukraine/Crimea/Russia/Syria/Iran.

Job done.

mick silver

25th February 2016, 05:42 AM

Military Analysis: Saudi Arabia Deploys Combat Aircraft to TurkeyBy South Front (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/southfront/) on February 25, 2016
http://southfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Major-Escalation-or-Strategic-Bluff.jpg
It’s clear that the recently adopted ceasefire (http://southfront.org/foreign-policy-diary-syria-ceasefire-strategic-implications/) threatens the Turkish and Saudi interests in Syria significantly. Both countries support a wide range of Islamic militant groups including Al Nusra Front, which was designated as a terrorist organization by the UNSC. Turkey has clearly been violating Syria’s sovereignty with its systematic artillery shelling of the northern part of the country (http://southfront.org/international-military-review-syria-feb-15-2016/) and by allowing the flow of reinforcements to militants (http://southfront.org/international-military-review-syria-feb-19-2016/) while Saudi Arabia spent significant amounts of petro-dollars in order to support groups attempting to overthrow the Syrian government. In this case, the Turkish statements claiming the possibility of a military invasion of Syria (http://southfront.org/foreign-policy-diary-turkeys-military-intervention-to-syria/) and Saudi Arabia’s intention to deploy an air force (http://southfront.org/saudi-arabia-is-set-to-deploy-jets-in-turkey-for-strikes-in-syria/) to support the Turkish operations can’t be ignored.
Written and produced by SF Team (http://southfront.org/): Brian Kalman, Edwin Watson
Brian Kalman is a management professional in the marine transportation industry. He was an officer in the US Navy for eleven years. He currently resides and works in the Caribbean.
http://southfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Introduction1.jpg
The Syrian conflict took a decidedly sinister turn for the worse recently, with the announcement of Saudi Royal officials that the kingdom intended to commit both air and ground forces to fight against Daesh (ISIS) in Syria. The word hypocrisy immediately comes to mind with such a statement, in light of the reality that ISIS and similar Islamic fundamentalist groups wreaking havoc across Syria have been armed and funded by Riyadh from the start. All of these groups have a shared ideology and embrace the Wahhabi school of fundamentalist Islam, which was founded and fostered by Saudi Arabia. Wahhabism has spread like a scourge across the Middle East, and beyond, because of the patronage of the Saudi monarchy.
On Saturday, February 14th, Saudi Brigadier General Ahmed al-Assiri confirmed that Saudi Royal Air Force jets were deployed to Incirlik air base in southwestern Turkey with the intention of using them in coalition efforts to combat ISIS in Syria in the near future. Saudi Arabia has been a member of the U.S. led coalition to combat ISIS for over a year now, even though both nations have armed, trained and funded ISIS and its affiliates in Syria for years. The truth is plain for the entire world to see, regardless of the thin veneer of deception, that Saudi Arabia is sending air forces and possibly ground forces not to combat ISIS, but to ensure that the Syrian government is not able to regain sovereignty of the entirety of the nation.
Saudi Arabia wants to force President al-Assad from power and fragment and destroy the secular nation of Syria, and replace it with a chaotic state divided into small Wahhabi fiefdoms that it can control in conjunction with Turkey and its primary Gulf allies. They intend to excise the fledgling Syria-Iraq-Iran alliance and remove the threat of a predominantly Shia axis of influence in the Middle East and an oil and natural gas conduit to the European market that would severely undermine their position of leadership in controlling this trade in the region.
http://southfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/map9.jpg

Saudi Arabia undoubtedly has one of the most modern and well-equipped air forces in the region and has invested heavily in this military tool for over two decades. The Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) gained a great deal of experience during the first gulf war, with its ground attack aircraft, primarily the Tornado, carrying out bombing missions. In addition, in some of the few air-to-air engagements of that conflict, Saudi pilots shot down Iraqi aircraft that were most likely fleeing to Iran.
The RSAF has been engaged in a bombing campaign against Houthi rebels in Western Yemen for many months now. Saudi Arabia decided upon direct military intervention to reinstall the Saudi aligned Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi after he was forced to flee the country by a popular uprising in Yemen. Fearing that an Iranian friendly government was coming to power in Yemen, Saudi Arabia decided to intervene and commenced a punishing, and arguably indiscriminant bombing of the Middle East’s poorest nation. The toll on the civilian population has been high, either exhibiting Saudi indifference or poor tactical execution of air power, or quite possibly both.
Little has been revealed regarding specific RSAF deployments to Turkey after Brigadier General Ahmed al-Asiri’s announcement of February 14th; however, it is most likely that Saudi Arabia has dispatched strike fighters and or bombers to Incirlik air base in Turkey. The only evidence that has been publicly released is of F-15S or F-15C strike fighters landing at Incirlik. These aircraft will be accompanied by their ground crews and necessary logistics support, who will arrive aboard follow on air transport.

Saudi Arabia has an impressive inventory of strike aircraft in use with various squadrons based across the kingdom. A mix of both U.S. and European aircraft are in use in these squadrons, from the venerable F-15C and Tornado, to the relatively new Typhoon. The F-15Cs and Tornados have all recently been modernized and 48 units of the Typhoon have been delivered to the Kingdom from Britain. As recently as 2013, the RSAF and British Royal Airforce (RAF) engaged in extensive joint training operations over the British Isles in Operation Green Flag. The training encompassed flights of 2 to 4 aircraft, both Tornados and Typhoons of the respective nations engaged in various aerial training operations including tactical formation flying, aerial patrol, air to air combat and interdiction, as well as ground attack. It is important to note that all flights were conducted with a mix of Saudi and British aircraft. This was done in order to bring Saudi aircrews up to speed on a new aircraft with pilots with a higher degree of time and proficiency with the Typhoon, as well as to enhance the Saudi-British ability at cooperative operations in case future developments in the Middle East would soon call these long-term allies together once again in joint operations.
F-15C/D Air Superiority Fighter
The RSAF has 70 F-15C single seat air superiority fighters as well as 16 F-15D twin seat air superiority fighter/trainers. The F-15C is a proven fighter aircraft of venerable service to many air forces of the world. It was purpose designed as an air superiority fighter in the 1970s and is still the mainstay of the USAF, having undergone numerous upgrades and modernization programs.
http://southfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/56cc34acc4618835798b457c1.jpgRSAF F-15C landing at an airbase in Saudi Arabia.

F-15S (E) Strike Fighter
The F-15S is the Saudi version of the F-15E Strike Eagle strike fighter. The RSAF has 70 x F-15S strike fighters in service. It is planned to upgrade all of these units to the latest F-15SA standard. Developed in the late 1980s as a strike version of the proven air superiority fighter, the F-15E can carry out both air superiority missions as well as ground attack missions. It has been used in U.S. military combat operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya and is currently engaged in ground attack missions over Iraq and Syria targeting ISIS.
http://southfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/56cc34acc4618835798b457c2.jpgA bomb laden F-15S taking off for a mission in Yemen.

Panavia Tornado IDS Strike Bomber
The Tornado was developed by the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands in the 1970s to be a high performance strike bomber that could successfully engage Soviet infantry and armor on a hypothetical European battlefield. Saudi Arabia decided to purchase 48 x Tornado IDS aircraft in the late 1980s. The RSAF would eventually take purchase of both the IDS and ADV versions of the aircraft from the UK. It is phasing out the ADVs, but has signed a contract with BAE Systems to upgrade its total fleet of 84 x Tornado IDS aircraft at the cost of $4.6 billion (USD). The Tornado has proven rugged and reliable in service with a number of nations, and its variable swept wing design allows for high performance at low altitude, which is a major advantage in close air-support missions.
http://southfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/56cc34acc4618835798b457c3.jpgRSAF Tornado in desert colors, most likely of a squadron based at King Abdullah Aziz Air Base.

Eurofighter Typhoon
The Saudi Air Force has ordered a total of 72 Typhoon T-2 and T3A variants from BAE of the UK. Currently, one squadron, the 3rd Squadron of the RSAF 2nd Wing based at King Fahd airbase in northwestern Saudi Arabia is equipped with the Typhoon, with the 10th Squadron being established and equipped with these aircraft as well. Although this is a modern fighter with strike capabilities, it is rather unproven in combat compared to the F-15s and Tornados historically operated by the Saudis.
Considering that Saudi Arabia has decided to commit significant funds to the upgrading of its F-15S and Tornado IDS aircraft, it is a great wonder why they would decide to incorporate a totally new aircraft into RSAF ranks. The answer may have more to do with politics than military considerations. The Saudis have bought political influence and diplomatic favors by purchasing significant amounts of military hardware from the United States and Britain for many decades, and the Typhoon acquisition is likely just such a political investment.
http://southfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/56cc34acc4618835798b457c4.jpgTyphoon T2 of the RSAF 10th Squadron. The 10th Squadron is being equipped with T2 and T3As currently.

With the RSAF engaged in bombing and reconnaissance missions over Yemen, fighters and strike fighters which are most likely based in the south of the kingdom at Dhahran (King Abdullah Aziz Air Base), may have to be pulled from this effort and forward deployed at Incirlik. There are a number of units based at the major air bases operated by the RSAF that could be repositioned.
Dhahran (King Abdullah Aziz) Air Base

RSAF 3rd Wing
13 Squadron F-15C
92 Squadron F-15S (Saudi version F-15E Strike Eagle)
RSAF 11 Wing
7th Squadron Tornado IDS
75th Squadron Tornado IDS
83rd Squadron Tornado IDS

Khamis Mushayt (King Khalid) Air Base

RSAF 5th Wing
6th Squadron F-15S

Tabuk (King Faisal) Air Base

RSAF 7th Wing
2nd Squadron F-15 C

Taif (King Fahd) Air Base

RSAF 2nd Wing
3rd Squadron Typhoon F2/T3
5th Squadron F-15C
10th Squadron Typhoon F2/T3
34th Squadron F-15C

http://southfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/56cc34acc4618835798b457c5.jpgMajor Saudi airports and air bases.

If Saudi Arabia is actually intent upon deploying and using a mix of strike aircraft and fighter escorts in Syria, they will most likely be based at Incirlik airbase, along with U.S. and other NATO air forces. This air base has the infrastructure and logistics in place to handle the aircraft of various NATO types and has been host to international forces in the past. The base is also close to the proposed area of operations (Northern Syria) and is guarded by modern air defenses, and even houses tactical nuclear weapons. With a regular USAF presence, this air base would be a very provocative target for attack by the Russian Air Force.
We are likely to see a small deployment of elements of two to four RSAF squadrons equipped with F-15C, Tornado, and Typhoon strike aircraft with possibly elements of one squadron of air superiority fighters in support. It is unlikely that the Saudis will make a major commitment, in line with their previous military commitments in the region as well as their ongoing quagmire in Yemen, which is occupying the attention of most of the strike aircraft squadrons based at King Abdullah Aziz Air Base in the southern portion of the kingdom.
Any Saudi force would most likely only go into battle with the backing of a U.S. or NATO mandate, and the employment of U.S. and NATO aircraft in preliminary strikes. It remains to be seen if the United States and NATO will take the bait and engage in a disastrous gambit to support their erstwhile NATO partner Turkey and the even more delusional Saudi monarchy. It is very clear that any air campaign engaged upon by Turkey and Saudi Arabia alone will be met with a swift and effective Russian response with both ground and naval-based air defenses as well as the most modern and capable air superiority fighters in the region. The Su-30 and Su-35 fighters are far superior to the Tornado, are more than a match for the F-15C and E and even the Typhoon. The Su-35 is the most modern Flanker variant in service in the world, and is more advanced in all respects to the Eurofighter Typhoon. The greatest difference, of course will be the pilot in the cockpit. Russian pilots have already exhibited their bravery, skill and professionalism since the Russian air campaign began at the end of September 2015. They have already accomplished more than Western estimates ever predicted, and in just about every respect. Russian pilots have proven that their exhaustive training in all matters of modern aerial combat have borne fruit, much to the delight of their supporters and allies and the chagrin and awe of their detractors.
http://southfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/56cc34acc4618835798b457c6.jpgSaudi Tornados in formation.

Reports have circulated in the past six months that there is an internal power struggle within the higher leadership of the Saudi royal family, that King Salam is suffering from dementia, and that his younger son Deputy Crown Prince and Minister of Defense Mohammad bin Salam Al Saud, is vying with his older brother to assume the throne. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef is the historically legitimate heir to the throne, being the eldest son. The Deputy Crown Prince is the recognized architect of the disastrous military campaign in Yemen. This campaign has brought to light the various shortcomings and ineptitude of the Saudi military in all aspects of modern warfare, most importantly command and control.
In Yemen, Saudi Arabia has grappled with the poorest and most poorly equipped army in the region and come up wanting. The Houthis have taken advantage of the poor coordination between Saudi Army units and their local allies and coalition partners on the ground. Saudi air raids have proven to be highly inaccurate and ineffective, regardless of the wealth of battlefield intelligence provided by U.S. spy satellites and surveillance aircraft. The Houthis have proven resilient and able to adapt quickly on the urban, desert and mountain battlefield, where their Saudi opponents have proven unable to make sound tactical decisions regarding the most basic of tactical issues. Much of these failures on the battlefield can be attributed to three main factors.
Firstly, the Saudis have no moral motivation. The Houthis and their allies are fighting a foreign invasion that hopes to re-impose, through force of arms, a tyranny that they themselves fought long and hard to rid themselves of over previous years. They are also defending their homeland, their friends and their families. What is the average Saudi soldier fighting for? They are fighting to impose the will of an unelected, theocratic monarchy on a nation of people who pose no military threat to them and that are willing to die to oppose them.
Secondly, the Saudi military suffers from long engrained cultural inhibitions that render proper decision making in a modern army impossible. NCOs and junior officers will not make decisions on the spot that are contrary to the exact orders given to them by their superiors as the realities of a battle unfold. Freedom of action, and the ability to make sound and timely decisions as the ever-changing factors on the battlefield change, is an imperative ability of NCOs and officers in combat. Equally important is the readiness of superior officers to share information with subordinates so that they are “in the loop” on the overall plan and changing developments in strategy and the goals of an operation. Saudi officers have been culturally programmed to keep information to themselves and to not trust nor give authority to subordinates “beneath” them.
Thirdly, the structure of the Saudi Army and the Saudi National Guard have been designed to ensure mistrust, a division within the leadership as well as the dissolution of military power between both organizations. This has been devised intentionally, so as to remove any threat that the military might pose to the Royal House of Saud. The Royal family wanted to ensure that no Gadhafi or Nasser would rise up through the officer ranks to depose them. This has resulted also in a noticeable division and mistrust between the Army, which falls under the direction of the Ministry of Defense, and the National Guard, which takes its orders from the Interior Ministry. To further solidify the division, military training, roles and equipment is divided amongst the two forces in a way that both are lacking elements that would allow them to be considered a self-sufficient, combined arms force. In order to prevail in combat, they would have to rely on one another fighting jointly; however, the system exists to ensure that they may never do so. In many respects, Saudi Arabia has the largest and best equipped Army in the Middle East that may never be used, as this would immediately reveal that it is simply a mirage.

It is obvious to anyone with even the most rudimentary understanding of the Syrian conflict, that neither Turkey nor Saudi Arabia has any intention of defeating ISIS or any of their Wahhabi affiliates in Syria. On the contrary, they aim to hinder the advance of the SSA and their allied forces and to degrade their offensive capability through direct military means now that their proxies have largely been defeated in a succession of military actions with the support of the Russian armed forces. Turkey has the added aim of making sure that a strong united Kurdish region is not allowed to solidify along its southern border.
The Erdogan regime has staked its future on toppling al-Assad and dividing Syria amongst the victors to its own benefit. It hopes to crush the aspirations of the Kurds and to eliminate the threat of an independent Kurdistan that would shake the very foundations of modern Turkey. Erdogan’s gamble is unraveling in front of his eyes, and the move to direct military intervention is an obvious sign of its failure. Erdogan’s foreign policy of destabilization in Syria have in fact only strengthened the Kurdish position and led to greater Kurdish autonomy.
Saudi Arabia on the other hand could care less about the Kurds. They have been more than happy to allow the “Kurdish dilemma “to occupy their neighbors to their own detriment. Saudi Arabia has invested a great deal of capital and resources in the establishment of a multitude of Wahhabi terrorist groups and mercenary armies that fight on its behalf, their great benefactor in ensuring the downfall of a secular Syria and the elimination of that state as a competitor in the production and transport of oil and natural gas out of the Middle East and into Europe. They hope to eliminate what was becoming a largely Shia dominated logistics pathway through Syria-Iraq-Iran, that stood to greatly undercut their position as a global giant in oil and natural gas production and transportation.
Saudi Arabia’s threat of direct military intervention in Syria also signals the failure of their war by proxy. Their armed gangs of Islamic zealots and terrorists have largely collapsed as a viable threat on the battlefield and face a certain defeat. Most of the moderate opposition was never embraced or aided by the Saudis, with such groups being either absorbed by the Islamist radicals, eliminated, or in time joining forces with the Syrian government. A failure in Syria along with a stalemate in Yemen may prove to be one failure too many for a Saudi monarchy that is suffering from internal division amongst itself and the hundreds of clans whose loyalty ensures their legitimacy. Failure in Syria may be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

Russia has made it extremely clear, in diplomatic yet unambiguous terms that it will not allow any outside forces to invade Syria to topple the government and secure their own aims in violation of Syrian sovereignty. Prime Minister Dimitri Medvedev clearly stated to the world that Russia will not stand idly by while Turkey or Saudi Arabia invade the sovereign territory or airspace of Syria. Russia has not historically utilized its military outside of its borders, but when it does, it does not do so in half measures nor without a very clear idea of the goals and strategy for victory. It has invested a great deal in ensuring that Syria will become a stable country once again, a buffer between itself and the Middle East that will provide for the national security of Russia against the spread of state sponsored radical Islamism.
http://southfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/56cc34acc4618835798b457c7.jpgThe latest generation Su-35. Its presence in Syria is a clear signal of Russia’s resolve.

Additionally, Russia has international law on its side in any dispute. It is carrying out military operations within Syria at the request of the legitimate government of that nation. It is honoring a long standing defense treaty with that same nation, and would continue to be doing so if outside parties violate Syrian sovereignty with hostile intent and Russia responds with force to repel such efforts. After Turkey downed a Su-27 bomber late last year, and their Turkmen proxies killed the pilot and a marine on a rescue mission to save the downed aircrew, the Russian leadership took very concrete steps to bolster air force and air defense capabilities in the Region. They sent a very clear message; this will not happen a second time.

The belligerent statements coming out of Riyadh over the past week coupled with the movement of RSAF combat aircraft to Incirlik air base in Turkey and the massing of ground forces of the Gulf Cooperation Council for joint training exercises on the Arabian Peninsula have brought the world to the brink of a war of global proportions. Instead of supporting efforts to bring about a ceasefire and de-escalation of violence in Syria, Turkey and Saudi Arabia have decided to work together to throw additional fuel on the fire. The Erdogan regime and the Saudi royal family are betting on U.S. and NATO support in their efforts; while at the same time expect Russia to abandon a long-term ally and their strategic interests in region.
It is quite possible that Turkey and Saudi Arabia will ignore the clear messages coming out of Moscow that Russia will not allow any military incursion on the part of these two parties, as well as the reality of the battlefield successes of the Syrian and Russian military efforts over the past four and a half months. With the failure and collapse of their proxies in the battle to oust al-Assad and forever tear apart Syria, the Turks and Saudis may have decided to double-down by directly involving themselves militarily. It remains to be seen whether this development is a bluff, or a major escalation of the war, which would trigger an immediate military response from Russia.
While the assets of the RSAF are modern and capable, they do not represent a technological or combat experience advantage over the forces that Russia can bring to bear in response. Russian air force and air defense forces present in Syria alone present a strong deterrent to any outside power seeking to violate the airspace of Syria without the expressed permission of the Syrian government. It is understood that any direct military confrontation between Saudi Arabia and Russia will further complicate and expand a costly regional conflict into a global one. Much of the world is currently holding its breath and hoping for sanity and pragmatism to carry the day and ease us back from the precipice of disaster

Related Posts:

Iran Won’t Allow Turkey, Saudi Arabia to Exacerbate Syria Situation: Deputy Commander (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/14/iran-wont-allow-turkey-saudi-arabia-to-exacerbate-syria-situation-deputy-commander/)
US seeks talks with Russia, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey on Syria – Kerry (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2015/10/19/us-seeks-talks-with-russia-saudi-arabia-jordan-turkey-on-syria-kerry/)
Saudi Arabia Showing Fake Videos on Military Gains in Yemen (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2015/08/30/saudi-arabia-showing-fake-videos-on-military-gains-in-yemen/)
Roberto Fiore: US, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar are main plotters against (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2015/06/07/roberto-fiore-us-saudi-arabia-turkey-and-qatar-are-main-plotters-against-syria/)

mick silver

25th February 2016, 06:12 AM

The REAL Goal of America and Israel: Shatter Syria and ISource: Washington's Blog (http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2016/02/real-goal-america-israel-shatter-syria-iraq-small-pieces.html)
Balkanizing the Middle EastThe hawks in the U.S. and Israel decided long ago (http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2014/06/mess-iraq-design.html) to break up Iraq and Syria into small fragments.
The Guardian noted (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/sep/03/worlddispatch.iraq) in 2003:

President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt predicted devastating consequences for the Middle East if Iraq is attacked. “We fear a state of disorder and chaos may prevail in the region,” he said.
***
They are probably still splitting their sides with laughter in the Pentagon. But Mr Mubarak and the [Pentagon] hawks do agree on one thing: war with Iraq could spell disaster for several regimes in the Middle East. Mr Mubarak believes that would be bad. The hawks, though, believe it would be good.
For the hawks, disorder and chaos sweeping through the region would not be an unfortunate side-effect of war with Iraq, but a sign that everything is going according to plan.
***
The “skittles theory” of the Middle East – that one ball aimed at Iraq can knock down several regimes – has been around for some time on the wilder fringes of politics but has come to the fore in the United States on the back of the “war against terrorism”.
Its roots can be traced, at least in part, to a paper published in 1996 by an Israeli thinktank, the Institute for Advanced Strategic and Political Studies. Entitled “A clean break: a new strategy for securing the realm”, it was intended as a political blueprint for the incoming government of Binyamin Netanyahu. As the title indicates, it advised the right-wing Mr Netanyahu to make a complete break with the past by adopting a strategy “based on an entirely new intellectual foundation, one that restores strategic initiative and provides the nation the room to engage every possible energy on rebuilding Zionism …”
***
The paper set out a plan by which Israel would “shape its strategic environment”, beginning with the removal of Saddam Hussein and the installation of a Hashemite monarchy in Baghdad.
With Saddam out of the way and Iraq thus brought under Jordanian Hashemite influence, Jordan and Turkey would form an axis along with Israel to weaken and “roll back” Syria. Jordan, it suggested, could also sort out Lebanon by “weaning” the Shia Muslim population away from Syria and Iran, and re-establishing their former ties with the Shia in the new Hashemite kingdom of Iraq. “Israel will not only contain its foes; it will transcend them”, the paper concluded.
***
The leader of the “prominent opinion makers” who wrote it was Richard Perle – now chairman of the Defence Policy Board at the Pentagon.
Also among the eight-person team was Douglas Feith, a neo-conservative lawyer, who now holds one of the top four posts at the Pentagon as under-secretary of policy.
***
Two other opinion-makers in the team were David Wurmser and his wife, Meyrav (see US thinktanks give lessons in foreign policy (http://www.guardian.co.uk/elsewhere/journalist/story/0,7792,777100,00.html), August 19). Mrs Wurmser was co-founder of Memri, a Washington-based charity that distributes articles translated from Arabic newspapers portraying Arabs in a bad light. After working with Mr Perle at the American Enterprise Institute, David Wurmser is now at the State Department, as a special assistant to John Bolton, the under-secretary for arms control and international security.
A fifth member of the team was James Colbert, of the Washington-based Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (Jinsa) – a bastion of neo-conservative hawkery whose advisory board was previously graced by Dick Cheney (now US vice-president), John Bolton and Douglas Feith.
***
With several of the “Clean Break” paper’s authors now holding key positions in Washington, the plan for Israel to “transcend” its foes by reshaping the Middle East looks a good deal more achievable today than it did in 1996. Americans may even be persuaded to give up their lives to achieve it.
(Before assuming prominent roles in the Bush administration, many of the same people – including Richard Perle, Paul Wolfowitz, Dick Cheney, John Bolton and others (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_for_the_New_American_Century) – advocated their imperial views during the Clinton administration via their American think tank, the “Project for a New American Century”.)
Thomas Harrington – professor of Iberian Studies at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut – writes (http://www.counterpunch.org/2014/06/17/is-open-ended-chaos-the-desired-us-israeli-aim-in-the-middle-east/):

[While there are some good articles on the chaos in Iraq, none of them] consider whether the chaos now enveloping the region might, in fact, be the desired aim of policy planners in Washington and Tel Aviv.
***
One of the prime goals of every empire is to foment ongoing internecine conflict in the territories whose resources and/or strategic outposts they covet.
***
The most efficient way of sparking such open-ended internecine conflict is to brutally smash the target country’s social matrix and physical infrastructure.
***
Ongoing unrest has the additional perk of justifying the maintenance and expansion of the military machine that feeds the financial and political fortunes of the metropolitan elite.
In short … divide and rule is about as close as it gets to a universal recourse the imperial game and that it is, therefore, as important to bear it in mind today as it was in the times of Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, the Spanish Conquistadors and the British Raj.
To those—and I suspect there are still many out there—for whom all this seems too neat or too conspiratorial, I would suggest a careful side-by side reading of:
a) the “Clean Break” manifesto generated by the Jerusalem-based Institute for Advanced Strategic and Political Studies (IASPS) in 1996
and
b) the “Rebuilding America’s Defenses” paper generated by The Project for a New American Century (PNAC) in 2000, a US group with deep personal and institutional links to the aforementioned Israeli think tank, and with the ascension of George Bush Junior to the White House, to the most exclusive sanctums of the US foreign policy apparatus.
To read the cold-blooded imperial reasoning in both of these documents—which speak, in the first case, quite openly of the need to destabilize the region so as to reshape Israel’s “strategic environment” and, in the second of the need to dramatically increase the number of US “forward bases” in the region ….
To do so now, after the US’s systematic destruction of Iraq and Libya—two notably oil-rich countries whose delicate ethnic and religious balances were well known to anyone in or out of government with more than passing interest in history—, and after the its carefully calibrated efforts to generate and maintain murderous and civilization-destroying stalemates in Syria and Egypt (something that is easily substantiated despite our media’s deafening silence on the subject), is downright blood-curdling.
And yet, it seems that for even very well-informed analysts, it is beyond the pale to raise the possibility that foreign policy elites in the US and Israel, like all virtually all the ambitious hegemons before them on the world stage, might have quite coldly and consciously fomented open-ended chaos in order to achieve their overlapping strategic objectives in this part of the world.
Antiwar’s Justin Raimondo notes (http://original.antiwar.com/justin/2014/06/17/iraq-will-the-neocons-get-away-with-it-again/):

Iraq’s fate was sealed from the moment we invaded: it has no future as a unitary state. As I pointed out again (http://original.antiwar.com/justin/2003/03/26/iraqi-pandora/)and again (http://original.antiwar.com/justin/2005/01/31/iraq-election-sistanis-triumph/) in the early days of the conflict, Iraq is fated to split apart into at least three separate states: the Shi’ite areas around Baghdad and to the south, the Sunni regions to the northwest, and the Kurdish enclave which was itching for independence since well before the US invasion. This was the War Party’s real (http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/pdf/The%20Zionist%20Plan%20for%20the%20Middle%20East.p df) if unexpressed goal from the very beginning: the atomization of Iraq, and indeed the entire Middle East. Their goal, in short, was chaos – and that is precisely what we are seeing today.
***
As I put it years ago (http://original.antiwar.com/justin/2012/01/31/iraq-in-retrospect/):
“[T]he actual purpose was to blow the country to smithereens: to atomize it, and crush it, so that it would never rise again.
“When we invaded and occupied Iraq, we didn’t just militarily defeat Iraq’s armed forces – we dismantled their army (http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/war_stories/2007/09/who_disbanded_the_iraqi_army.html), and their police force, along with all the other institutions that held the country together. The educational system was destroyed, and not reconstituted. The infrastructure was pulverized (http://www.google.com/search?hl=&q=airstrikes+iraq+2005&sourceid=navclient-ff&rlz=1B3GGLL_enUS412US413&ie=UTF-8&aq=0&oq=airstrikes+iraq+2005), and never restored. Even the physical hallmarks of a civilized society – roads (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOrDHKwRXsg&feature=related), bridges (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/14/world/middleeast/14cnd-iraq.html), electrical plants (http://articles.latimes.com/2005/dec/25/world/fg-power25), water facilities (http://waterfortheages.org/2008/04/27/iraq-water-and-politics-in-a-war-torn-country/), museums (http://www.aam-us.org/pubs/mn/MN_JF07_lost-iraq.cfm), schools (http://iraqdailytimes.com/education-iraq-iraq-needs-to-5800-schools-to-meet-the-shortage/) – were bombed out of existence or else left to fall into disrepair. Along with that, the spiritual and psychological infrastructure that enables a society to function – the bonds of trust, allegiance, and custom – was dissolved (http://www.democracynow.org/2010/9/1/iraq_is_a_shattered_country_nir), leaving Iraqis to fend for themselves in a war of all against all.
“… What we are witnessing in post-Saddam Iraq is the erasure of an entire country. We can say, with confidence: We came, we saw, we atomized.”
Why? This is the question that inevitably arises in the wake of such an analysis: why deliberately destroy an entire country whose people were civilized while our European ancestors were living in trees?
The people who planned, agitated for, and executed this war are the very same people who have advanced Israeli interests – at America’s expense – at every opportunity. In “A Clean Break: A New Strategy for Securing the Realm (http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article1438.htm),” a 1996 document prepared by a gaggle of neocons – Perle, Douglas Feith, James Colbert, Charles Fairbanks, Jr., Robert Loewenberg, David Wurmser, and Meyrav Wurmser – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was urged to “break out” of Israel’s alleged stagnation and undertake a campaign of “regime change” across the Middle East, targeting Lebanon, Libya, Syria, Iraq, and eventually Iran. With the exception of Iran – and that one’s still cooking on the back burner – this is precisely what has occurred. In 2003, in the immediate wake of our Pyrrhic “victory” in Iraq, then Prime Minister Ariel Sharon declared (http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/sharon-says-u-s-should-also-disarm-iran-libya-and-syria-1.18707) to a visiting delegation of American members of Congress that these “rogue states” – Iran, Libya, and Syria – would have to be next on the War Party’s target list.
(Indeed (http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2011/11/neoconservatives-planned-regime-change-throughout-the-middle-east-and-northern-africa-20-years-ago.html).)
And Michel Chossudovsky points out (http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-destruction-and-political-fragmentation-of-iraq-towards-the-creation-of-a-us-sponsored-islamist-caliphate/5386998):

The division of Iraq along sectarian-ethnic lines has been on the drawing board of the Pentagon for more than 10 years.
What is envisaged by Washington is the outright suppression of the Baghdad regime and the institutions of the central government, leading to a process of political fracturing and the elimination of Iraq as a country.
This process of political fracturing in Iraq along sectarian lines will inevitably have an impact on Syria, where the US-NATO sponsored terrorists have in large part been defeated.
Destabilization and political fragmentation in Syria is also contemplated: Washington’s intent is no longer to pursue the narrow objective of “regime change” in Damascus. What is contemplated is the break up of both Iraq and Syria along sectarian-ethnic lines.
The formation of the caliphate may be the first step towards a broader conflict in the Middle East, bearing in mind that Iran is supportive of the al-Maliki government and the US ploy may indeed be to encourage the intervention of Iran.
The proposed re-division of both Iraq and Syria is broadly modeled on that of the Federation of Yugoslavia which was split up into seven “independent states” (Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia (FYRM), Slovenia, Montenegro, Kosovo). According to Mahdi Darius Nazemroaya, the re division of Iraq into three separate states is part of a broader process of redrawing the Map of the Middle East.
http://www.globalresearch.ca/articlePictures/The%20Project%20for%20the%20New%20Middle%20East.jp g

The above map was prepared by Lieutenant-Colonel Ralph Peters. It was published in the Armed Forces Journal in June 2006, Peters is a retired colonel of the U.S. National War Academy. (Map Copyright Lieutenant-Colonel Ralph Peters 2006).
Although the map does not officially reflect Pentagon doctrine, it has been used in a training program at NATO’s Defense College for senior military officers”. (See Plans for Redrawing the Middle East: The Project for a “New Middle East” (http://www.globalresearch.ca/plans-for-redrawing-the-middle-east-the-project-for-a-new-middle-east/3882) By Mahdi Darius Nazemroaya (http://www.globalresearch.ca/author/mahdi-darius-nazemroaya), Global Research, November 2006)
Breaking Apart SyriaSimilarly, Neooconservatives in the U.S. and Israel have long advocated for the balkanization of Syria into smaller regions based on ethnicity and religion. The goal was to break up the country, and to do away with the sovereignty of Syria as a separate nation.
In 1982, a prominent Israeli journalist formerly attached to the Israeli Foreign Ministry allegedly wrote (http://www.amazon.com/Zionist-Plan-Middle-Special-Document/dp/0937694568) a book expressly calling for the break up of Syria:

All the Arab states should be broken down, by Israel, into small units …. Dissolution of Syria and Iraq later oninto ethnically or religiously unique areas such as in Lebanon, is Israel’s primary target on the Eastern front in the long run.
It is well-documented that – in 1996 – U.S. and Israeli Neocons advocated (http://www.salon.com/2006/08/03/mideast_8/):

Weakening, containing, and even rolling back Syria ….
As Michel Chossudovsky points out (http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-destruction-and-political-fragmentation-of-iraq-towards-the-creation-of-a-us-sponsored-islamist-caliphate/5386998):

Destabilization and political fragmentation in Syria is also contemplated: Washington’s intent is no longer to pursue the narrow objective of “regime change” in Damascus. What is contemplated is the break up of both Iraq and Syria along sectarian-ethnic lines.
In 2013, former Israeli diplomat Alon Pinkas said (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/06/world/middleeast/israel-backs-limited-strike-against-syria.html?ref=todayspaper&_r=2&):

Let them both [sides] bleed, haemorrhage to death: that’s the strategic thinking here. As long as this lingers, there’s no real threat from Syria.
Indeed, in May 2015, one of the key architects (http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/10-years-later-the-architects-the-iraq-wa) of the Iraq war – John Bolton – said: (http://www.foxnews.com/transcript/2015/05/24/mike-huckabee-lays-out-path-to-2016-republican-nomination-amb-john-bolton-talks/)

The Arabs divided between Sunnis and Shias – I think the Sunni Arabs are never going to agree to be in a state where the Shia outnumber them 3-1. That’s what ISIS has been able to take advantage of.
I think our objective should be a new Sunni state out of the western part of Iraq, the eastern part of Syriarun by moderates or at least authoritarians who are not radical Islamists. What’s left of the state of Iraq, as of right now, is simply a satellite of the ayatollahs in Tehran. It’s not anything we should try to aid.
In September 2015, Pentagon intelligence chief Lt. Gen. Vincent Stewart said (http://wlns.com/ap/intelligence-chief-iraq-and-syria-may-not-survive-as-states-2/) that he has “a tough time” seeing either Iraq or Syria really coming back together as sovereign nations.
Dan Sanchez noted (http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2016/02/israel-syria-plan-b-balkanize.html) last week:

In general, Israel ideally prefers regime changes that result in the installation of stable puppets. That is Plan A. But Plan B is to balkanize. Better to divide and conquer than to countenance a “rogue” (independent) neighbor.
So it is noteworthy that Israel is endorsing its Plan B for Syria just when its enemies are making it plain that Plan A (“Assad Must Go (http://www.dansanchez.me/feed/syrians-deserve-self-determination)”) is not happening any time soon.
And SecState John Kerry confirmed (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/23/john-kerry-partition-syria-peace-talks) just yesterday that “Plan B” is to break Syria up into different states.

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Joshua01

25th February 2016, 06:18 AM

Obama's reign has not really had any consistent strategy regarding Middle East at all. They decided to try and change some of the more secular regimes (foremost Egypt, Libya and Syria) of the Middle East, by supporting extremists and fundamentalist regimes, and then they hoped it would go well, as it didn't they have started flip flopping. This above of course is based upon the Obama regime didn't do it out of Ill will. If the purpose was to destabilize the Middle East with a following world war, then their strategy was perfect and consistent with that goal.

Obama is a dismal failure in EVERY respect, not the least of which has been foreign policy

mick silver

25th February 2016, 09:49 AM

US Declares Financial War On RussiaSource: EPJ (http://www.economicpolicyjournal.com/2016/02/us-declares-financial-war-on-russia.html)

I am stunned by the report (http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-warns-banks-off-russian-bonds-1456362124) on the front page of today's Wall Street Journal:

The U.S. government has warned some top U.S. banks not to bid on a potentially lucrative but politically risky Russian bond deal, saying it would undermine international sanctions on Moscow, people familiar with the matter said.

The move, apparently the first of its kind since the sanctions went into effect, has sent Wall Street bankers scrambling to determine whether the opportunity for new business is worth the political downside of bucking the administration’s warning. The rules don’t explicitly prohibit banks from pursuing the business, but U.S. State Department officials hold the view that helping finance Russia would run counter to American foreign policy.

Russia plans to issue at least $3 billion of foreign bonds—its first international issue since the U.S. and its allies imposed sanctions in 2014 following Moscow’s annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in Ukraine, according to people familiar with the matter.

Russia invited European and Chinese banks to bid on the deal as well as several from Wall Street, including Bank of America Corp, Citigroup Inc., Goldman Sachs Group Inc., J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. and Morgan Stanley, the people said.

So far, there is no consensus among the Wall Street firms about whether to move ahead. Some bank officials, including at Citigroup, say they won’t participate. Other banks, including Goldman and J.P. Morgan, continue to weigh their options....

U.S. government officials say helping Russia finance its debt would run counter to the objectives of the sanctions.

“It is essential that private companies—in the U.S., EU and around the world—understand that Russia will remain a high-risk market so long as its actions to destabilize Ukraine continue,” the State Department said in a statement to The Wall Street Journal.The U.S. better be careful. Fueling the idea of financail war may not be such a good idea, especially with China holding $1.3 trillion in US Treasury security debt.

I'm sure Lou Jiwei is taking notes.

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mick silver

25th February 2016, 09:54 AM

KERRY: 30,000 US TROOPS NEEDED FOR “SAFE ZONE” IN SYRIASource: Kurt Nimmo (http://www.infowars.com/kerry-30000-us-troops-needed-for-safe-zone-in-syria/)

Secretary of State John Kerry (http://abcnews.go.com/International/30000-troops-needed-syria-safe-zone-kerry/story?id=37173697) took his “Plan B” (http://www.infowars.com/kerrys-plan-b-carving-up-syria/) to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on Wednesday. He said a proposed “safe zone” in Syria would require between 15,000 and 30,000 US troops. “Our Pentagon estimates that to have a true safe zone in the north of the country you may have upwards of fifteen to thirty thousand troops. Now are we ready to authorize that? Are we ready to put them on the ground?” Kerry said.
The Obama administration previously discounted the idea of establishing a safe zone. On July 23 retired U.S. general John Allen (http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-07-28/u-s-shoots-down-idea-of-syria-safe-zone) said an “air exclusion zone” inside Syria was not “part of the conversation” with Turkey during negotiations allowing US planes to use the Incirlik Air Base in Turkey to conduct airstrikes in Syria and Iraq.
Following Allen’s remarks the establishment media in the United States reported the US had reached an agreement with Turkey on a safe zone. Reports included maps showing areas along the Turkish border where the zone would be declared to protect civilians from the Syrian government, according to Bloomberg (http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-07-28/u-s-shoots-down-idea-of-syria-safe-zone).
http://hw.infowars.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/syria-safe-zone.jpg (http://hw.infowars.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/syria-safe-zone.jpg)
In December Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (http://www.novinite.com/articles/172401/Turkey+President+Outlines+Plans+for+Syria+Safe+Zon e) provided details on a plan for a safe zone. During an interview with Al Arabiya TV Erdogan said the zone would reach 25 kilometers inside Syria and stretch 98 kilometers along the border with Turkey. He said Syrian refugees currently in Turkey would be transferred to the area.
Erdogan and the Turks attempted to sell the idea as an “ISIS-free zone” despite repeated allegations and evidence Turkey supports the Islamic State and provides safe passage for jihadists over the border.
Turkey renewed its call for a safe zone in mid-February.
Political Class Supports Safe Zone
A number of politicians have called for a safe zone in Syria, including presidential frontrunner Donald Trump (http://www.breitbart.com/video/2015/11/17/trump-i-will-build-a-big-beautiful-safe-zone-in-syria-for-refugees/).
“What I like is build a safe zone in Syria. Build a big, beautiful safe zone, and you have whatever it is so people can live, and they’ll be happier,” Trump said during a rally held in Knoxville, Tennessee in November.
Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio (http://https//marcorubio.com/news/safe-zone-syria-video/) also expressed his support.
“We’re doing nothing to help those people on the ground, which is why I’ve said we need to create a safe zone in Syria, with the cooperation of our allies. And that will address three points: Number 1, allowing a non-radical-jihadist group to organize and prepare themselves. Number 2, to stem some of this flow of migrants that are leaving the region and going into Europe. If they had a place they could stay safely, they wouldn’t make that journey. And number 3, to ultimately have something in place for a future without Assad,” Rubio told Fox News in October.
“I don’t think it’s in the Russians’ interest to engage in an armed conflict with the United States,” Rubio told CNBC’s John Harwood (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/marco-rubio-russia-no-fly-zone_us_5612e38ae4b0368a1a60ad06) when asked if a no-fly zone would risk confrontation with Russia.
Hillary Clinton (http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/10/28/democrats-arent-on-board-with-hillarys-no-fly-zone-plan/) voiced support for the plan in October. “I personally would be advocating now for a no-fly zone and humanitarian corridors to try to stop the carnage on the ground and from the air,” Clinton said. German Chancellor Angela Merkel (http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-merkel-nofly-idUSKCN0VO1ZH)said earlier this month she supports the idea. “In the current situation, it would be helpful if there was an area there in which none of the warring parties carry out attacks by air—so a type of no-fly zone,” she told the Stuttgarter Zeitung newspaper. Merkel had previously rejected a proposed safe zone.
Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Paul Selva (http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2015/12/10/441085/Pentagon-Paul-Selva-syria-nfly-zone-Russia-confrontation), however, told the Senate Armed Services Committee establishing a safe or no-fly zone would risk confrontation with Russia.
John McCain (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20151211/1031572011/no-fly-zones-syria.html), who also supports a no-fly zone, criticized Selva following his remarks. He said it was “one of the most embarrassing statements he’s ever heard from a uniformed military officer.”

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Neuro

25th February 2016, 11:27 AM

US Declares Financial War On Russia

Source: EPJ (http://www.economicpolicyjournal.com/2016/02/us-declares-financial-war-on-russia.html)

I am stunned by the report (http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-warns-banks-off-russian-bonds-1456362124) on the front page of today's Wall Street Journal:
The U.S. government has warned some top U.S. banks not to bid on a potentially lucrative but politically risky Russian bond deal, saying it would undermine international sanctions on Moscow, people familiar with the matter said.

The move, apparently the first of its kind since the sanctions went into effect, has sent Wall Street bankers scrambling to determine whether the opportunity for new business is worth the political downside of bucking the administration’s warning. The rules don’t explicitly prohibit banks from pursuing the business, but U.S. State Department officials hold the view that helping finance Russia would run counter to American foreign policy.

Russia plans to issue at least $3 billion of foreign bonds—its first international issue since the U.S. and its allies imposed sanctions in 2014 following Moscow’s annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in Ukraine, according to people familiar with the matter.

Russia invited European and Chinese banks to bid on the deal as well as several from Wall Street, including Bank of America Corp, Citigroup Inc., Goldman Sachs Group Inc., J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. and Morgan Stanley, the people said.

So far, there is no consensus among the Wall Street firms about whether to move ahead. Some bank officials, including at Citigroup, say they won’t participate. Other banks, including Goldman and J.P. Morgan, continue to weigh their options....

U.S. government officials say helping Russia finance its debt would run counter to the objectives of the sanctions.

“It is essential that private companies—in the U.S., EU and around the world—understand that Russia will remain a high-risk market so long as its actions to destabilize Ukraine continue,” the State Department said in a statement to The Wall Street Journal.
The U.S. better be careful. Fueling the idea of financail war may not be such a good idea, especially with China holding $1.3 trillion in US Treasury security debt.

I'm sure Lou Jiwei is taking notes.

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I wonder if the bonds will be denominated in Russian Rubels or in USD. Russian Rubel value is dependent on the oil price. It's not likely to get much lower, but has a huge upside especially if war in Middle East is expanded. If so expect Russian interest rates to drop, with a subsequent rise in bond value. If US/EU banks won't buy the bonds, Chinese banks would, diversify their risks from US treasuries...

Glass

26th February 2016, 04:15 PM

midnight rambler

26th February 2016, 04:26 PM

I'm hearing a forward Russian base has been hit very hard. Claim is lots of high ranking are dead. Taking this with about 40 pounds of salt. The attack occured. The fatalities, unconfirmed.

Video here, parked vehicles seem to be all the same - http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Report-Dozens-of-Russian-generals-in-Syria-killed-after-a-car-bomb-hits-their-military-base-445975

mick silver

27th February 2016, 05:31 AM

Russian Military Advisers in SyriaBy South Front (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/southfront/) on February 27, 2016

…from SouthFront (http://southfront.org/russia-defense-report-feb-27-2016-russian-military-advisers-in-syria/)When asked about Russian operations in Syria, most people would immediately mention the Russian fighter-bombers, attack aircraft, combat helicopters, and cruise missile volleys. Few would mention the quiet work behind the scenes that was performed by a large group of highly dedicated professionals who helped transform the Syrian military that was on the brink of defeat, into a force that could once again begin liberating Syria’s territory. Without denying the importance of the air campaign, the air strikes alone would not have turned the tide of the war.
When the Russian military began its intervention in Syria, the situation at the front demanded a rapid provision of specialized military support in order to offset the jihadist numerical superiority by superior firepower. That was quickly provided by supplying the Syrian Arab Army with T-90 tanks and TOS-1A self-propelled thermobaric rocket launchers which are highly effective at reducing fortifications.
However, in order to allow the Syrian army to resume the offensive, both its equipment and personnel would have to be replenished and retrained. Unfortunately, the Syrian military was in a state of serious neglect when the rebellion broke out, and large-scale combat operations quickly revealed this sad state of affairs. Much of its equipment was sidelined for lack of maintenance, units were understrengthed and short of specialist personnel. At the time, the Syrian soldiers were poorly trained, even ones assigned to crew sophisticated weapon systems like tanks and self-propelled artillery weapons. Equipment maintenance systems were sufficient to cope with peacetime demands, but quickly broke down as soon as the Syrian military attempted large-scale operations. Syrian military’s large pool of equipment also created an attitude of neglect toward maintenance and evacuation of damaged machines.
To help, the Russian Ministry of Defense utilized the Syrian Express supply route to send a large number of T-72B tanks, BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles, and rocket artillery weapons to Syria. Russian advisers then got to work training Syrian troops both on the use of the new vehicles and operating them as part of tactical combat teams. Even more equipment found its way into the Syrian units thanks to Russian specialists restoring Syria’s armored vehicle repair workshops, which quickly returned hundreds of broken-down or long-term storage armored vehicles to service. Syria’s air force returned to the skies thanks to Russian specialists and timely deliveries of spare parts.
The Russian advisers also established training courses for the specialist personnel without which no military can effectively conduct large-scale operations, such as logisticians, communications experts and, equally important, operational planners. This work is, of course, not without danger, given the terrorists’ ability to strike in almost any part of Syria. One Russian adviser was killed in Latakia province in unknown circumstances.
The Russian advisers also serve as de-facto diplomats, whose presence is necessary to ensure the capability of pro-government forces which include recently recruited tribal and regional militias and even former opposition forces working smoothly together. For example, it is difficult to imagine the Kurds and the Syrian military cooperating effectively without Russian intermediation.
For all these efforts, the situation in Syria still remains critical. Syrian forces’ problems have not been fully resolved, and ISIS and other jihadist forces are capable of launching local counter-attacks, as they recently did at Khanasser, because government forces are not large enough to properly defend the lengthy front lines against all the rebel factions. However, the trend is in a positive direction. The January fighting in Salma was a demonstration of the Russian efforts to train complete battalion task forces of the Syrian army to conduct offensive operations. It was the first operation carried out by one of the new Russian-trained battalions. Since the training program was launched in October, it would appear that the training cycle lasts 3 months before the unit is sent into the front lines, and more such units have been joining the fray recently and turning the tide of the war. The opposition’s newly discovered willingness to negotiate is entirely due to their belated recognition that the balance of forces has been shifting against them

Related Posts:

Breaking: Turkey Beaten Before It Begins, Russia Outlines the Upcoming War (updated) (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/20/southfront-russian-military-grouping-in-syria/)
SouthFront: Turkey’s Military Intervention to Syria (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/10/southfront-turkeys-military-intervention-to-syria/)
Sputnik: Turkey Planning Military Invasion in Syria – Russian Defense Ministry (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/04/sputnik-turkey-planning-military-invasion-in-syria-russian-defense-ministry/)
SouthFront: Syria battlespace – Dec. 9, 2015 (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2015/12/09/southfront-syria-battlespace-dec-9-2015/)

mick silver

27th February 2016, 05:42 AM

Russia’s Bastion systems and Onyx missiles block Barents and Black seasBy GPD (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/admin/) on February

mick silver

27th February 2016, 05:51 AM

Suicide Bomber Blows Himself Up on Road in Syrian Hama Province© REUTERS/ SANA/Handout via Reuters

Middle East (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/)12:21 27.02.2016(updated 12:49 27.02.2016) Get short URL
1 (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160227/1035438078/suicide-bombing-syria-hama.html#comments)13722

A suicide bomber blew himself up Saturday on the road between the cities of Salamia and Khanifis in the western Syrian governorate of Hama, Lebanese media reported.DAMASCUS (Sputnik) — A man has committed a suiside suicide in Syria on Saturday on the road between the cities of Salamia and Khanifis in the western governorate of Hama, Lebanese media reported.
Several people were reportedly injured in the explosion, the Al Mayadeen television channel reported.

http://cdn4.img.sputniknews.com/images/103147/52/1031475230.jpg
© AP Photo/ Alexander Kots
Car Bomb in Syria’s Hama Province Kills 2 - Reports (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160227/1035435570/syria-car-bomb-ceasefire.html)

A militant from the Islamic State (IS) terror groups is suspected to have detonated the bomb. The groups is banned in Russia, the United States and in other nations, and is not part of the ongoing truce between the Syrian government and opposition factions.

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Related:Syrian Warplanes Bomb Daesh Strongholds Across Homs, Aleppo, Hama (http://sputniknews.com/military/20151213/1031691983/syrian-jets-bomb-daesh-positions-across-syria.html)Car Bomb in Syria’s Hama Province Kills 2 - Reports (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160227/1035435570/syria-car-bomb-ceasefire.html)Ankara Car Bomb Attack Suspects Taken to Court (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160222/1035148897/ankara-car-bomb-attack.html)US-Led Coalition Against Daesh Conducts 3 Airstrikes in Syria, 18 in Iraq (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160209/1034471792/strikes-daesh-iraq-syria.html)
Tags:
Syrian conflict (http://sputniknews.com/tags/keyword_Syrian_conflict/), terror attack (http://sputniknews.com/tags/keyword_terror_attack/), explosion (http://sputniknews.com/tags/event_explosion/), suicide bombing (http://sputniknews.com/tags/event_suicide_bombing/), IS (http://sputniknews.com/tags/organization_IS/), Hama (http://sputniknews.com/tags/tag_Hama/), Syria (http://sputniknews.com/tags/geo_Syria/)

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160227/1035438078/suicide-bombing-syria-hama.html#ixzz41N967gwe

mick silver

27th February 2016, 06:40 AM

Breedlove: Russia, Instability Threaten U.S., European Security InterestsBy GPD (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/admin/) on February 26, 2016
Would the world be safer if a certain NATO general had been strangled at birth? Inquiring minds want to know.
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/lido_1018.jpgBreedlove’s obvious inspiration for “critical thought”

By Lisa FerdinandoDoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, February 25, 2016 — Russia and instability on Europe’s southern flank pose serious threats to U.S. and European security interests, the commander of U.S. forces in Europe said today.
The complex security situation in Europe “has only grown more serious and more complicated” in recent months, said Air Force Gen. Philip M. Breedlove, the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, and commander of U.S. European Command.
Speaking before the House Armed Services Committee on security challenges in Europe, Breedlove outlined challenges ranging from a “resurgent, aggressive” Russia, mass migration of refugees, and the threat of terrorism from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
Because of these challenges, the general said, tailored, supportable increases in capabilities are needed, as called for in the Defense Department’s fiscal year 2017 budget request.
“Eucom is standing firm to meet this array of challenges,” he told the panel, adding that European allies are willing, capable partners.
“The U.S. and NATO must take a 360-degree approach to security — addressing the full-spectrum of security challenges from any direction and [ensuring] we are using all elements of our nation’s power,” Breedlove’s written testimony said.
Russia Poses Threat
Russia has “chosen to be an adversary and poses a long-term existential threat” to the United States and U.S. allies and partners in Europe, he told lawmakers.
Russia wants to “rewrite” the agreed rules of the international order, he said.
“To counter Russia, Eucom, working with allies and partners, is deterring Russia now and preparing to fight and win if necessary,” he said.
Russia is eager to exert unquestioned influence over its neighboring states to create a buffer zone, the general said, adding, “Russia is extending its course of influence yet further afield to try to reestablish a leading role on the world stage.”
Despite what he described as Russian pronouncements to the contrary, Russia has done little to counter ISIL in Syria, Breedlove said. Instead, Moscow has done a “great deal to bolster the Assad regime and its allies,” he remarked.
Russian involvement in Syria has “wildly exacerbated the problem,” changing the dynamic in the air and on the ground, he said.
“Russia and the Assad regime are deliberately weaponizing migration from Syria in an attempt to overwhelm European structures and break European resolve,” he said.
Terrorism, Humanitarian Challenge
ISIL is “spreading like a cancer” and has expanded its operations throughout the Eucom area of responsibility, Breedlove said. It is threatening European nations and the U.S. with terrorist attacks, he added.
The terrorist group’s “brutality is driving millions to flee from Syria and Iraq, creating an almost unprecedented humanitarian challenge,” he added.
More than 1 million refugees or economic migrants arrived in Europe last year, fleeing Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and parts of Africa, according to Breedlove’s written testimony. There is concern that terrorists might look to recruit from within the population of refugees, he said.
Terrorists have attacked Europeans and European interests in North Africa, and ISIL might pose a greater threat to Europe if terrorists achieve a safe haven in Libya or elsewhere in North Africa, Breedlove told the committee.
European Reassurance Initiative
The general highlighted the importance of continued congressional support for the European Reassurance Initiative, which he said counters Russian aggression and other threats.
“This year’s budget request reflects our solemn commitment to the security of our allies and partners and to protecting our homeland forward,” he said.
The request seeks to quadruple funding for the initiative to $3.4 billion, Breedlove noted.
The funding for the European Reassurance Initiative, he said, would provide more rotational forces, increase training with allies and partners, increase key position war-fighting equipment in theater, increase the capacities of allies and partners, and improve the requisite supporting infrastructure.
“Together the tools [the initiative] would provide would send a clear and visible message to all audiences of our strong will and resolve,” Breedlove said. “Our further efforts to assure, deter and defend, supported by [the European Reassurance Initiative, would complement those of the entire whole-of-government team.”
Related Biographies

http://media.defense.gov/2013/May/14/2001080243/150/150/0/124286-O-WPL12-105.jpg (http://www.defense.gov/About-DoD/Biographies/Biography-View/Article/602681/general-philip-m-breedlove)
Air Force Gen. Philip M. Breedlove (http://www.defense.gov/About-DoD/Biographies/Biography-View/Article/602681/general-philip-m-breedlove)

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mick silver

27th February 2016, 06:45 AM

Armor Piercing, Toxic Shocking – the US’s Ongoing Depleted Uranium Manifesto Column: Politics (http://journal-neo.org/category/columns/politics/)
Region: Middle East (http://journal-neo.org/category/locations/middle-east/)

http://journal-neo.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/21_fairchild_republic_a-10_thunderbolt_ii-300x169.jpg (http://journal-neo.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/21_fairchild_republic_a-10_thunderbolt_ii.jpg)February 28th, 2016 marks the 25th anniversary of the end of Operation Desert Storm, the combat phase of the Gulf War, the first war with Iraq. This conflict was a turning point in US and world history, but the ensuing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq turned these war theaters into toxic waste lands. Desert Storm ushered in the widespread use of depleted uranium (DU) ammunition, a topic that few official spokespersons want to talk on the record. Now Syria is fast becoming the latest toxic battlefield where the “real weapons” of mass destruction are being deployed. Even though the Pentagon has professed a reversal of decision on the use of DU munitions, the clear cut evidence still does not support any real effort to reduce their indiscriminate use. It should be noted that US and UK forces during Desert Storm, openly acknowledged having fired some 286,000 kilograms of DU shells in between 1990 and 1991. The vast majority of the amour piecing rounds were fired from US Abrams and M60 tanks, and from A10 and Harrier combat tank killer aircraft. Fast forwarding to today, and we find an obliterated Iraq, a North Africa in various states of edgy turmoil, and Syria ablaze. Within this crucible of death, the toxic shadow of depleted uranium ordinance threatens combatants and innocents alike. The side effects associated with exposure to elements of DUs include; birth defects, miscarriage, unknown cancers, and more.Looking back at the effects of Desert Storm frames a horrific convergence of 21st century industrialization and a new breed of ethical rationale. While the real causes of so-called Gulf War Syndrome (GWS) are still being studied, the military establishments and politicians ride the fence on issues like the use of DU. Highly effective in many battlefield situations, the extremely heavy depleted uranium shells have devastating effects on some types of armor. But it’s the detrimental characteristics of the armor piercing incendiaries that make their use criminal.As Jeffrey Silverman, Bureau Chief for Veterans Today told me, how during training at Fort Knox, tankers and those in Amour Recon, 19Ds were not instructed in the health risks of such ordnance, saying it is as “what you don’t know won’t hurt you—and if they know what was the risks to civilians, many would definitely have second thought about using such shells.”Silverman should know, back in 2003, he helped to design a social marketing campaign against use of depleted uranium in Afghanistan, for UK-based Islamic Relief – and he carried out substantial desk research on the subject. As we now know in retrospect, both Afghanistan and Desert Storm saw the widespread irradiation. By the end of 1991 just about every factory, military facility, and chicken farm was utterly destroyed in that war stricken country. The US and the UK fairly well eradicated not only the the country’s ability to function as a unit, but left a health crisis that is only now being realized to its fullest.By the time George Bush the junior attested to weapons of mass destruction (WOMD) before the American public, Saddam Hussein’s country was just barely climbing back out a US-imposed Stone Age. The use of depleted uranium ordinance there was so extensive, that some experts say it will take decades to properly assess the human cost. Birth defects, cancers of all kinds, the toxic and radioactive, chemically toxic dust, and uranium seepage into water tables have made a wasteland of a wasteland.Then 2003’s scorched earth desolation led to subsequent irradiation. This report (http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/apr/25/internationaleducationnews.armstrade) from The Guardian speaks of a three week period in which it was estimated that over 1000 tons of depleted uranium munitions were used by coalition forces in Iraq. The real tragedy for Americans though, is the fact the military and US leadership knew all along the impact these weapons would have. A report (http://www.dtic.mil/get-tr-doc/pdf?AD=ADA395638) by the US Army dated 1990 clearly present tungsten ammunition as a preferable alternative to DU. Furthermore, the “Kinetic Energy Penetrator Environmental and Health Considerations” report submitted to the Army specifically outlines the need for a “PR campaign” to convince the public depleted uranium was safe. The following is one excerpt:
“Tungsten presents advantages in that public relations efforts are not required. DU public relations efforts can be mounted successfully given current information. Although litigation has not been an issue to date, there may be more litigation risks associated with DU than with tungsten.”Apparently the Bush administration cared less for the international friction uranium rounds would ignite, for the report offers up the public’s negative perception of radioactivity and “adverse international reaction.” The recommendation to the Army is damning when examined in today’s light. Not only did the administration back then ignore the negative PR impact, Bush’s 1991 Pentagon cared less that the use of DU would be “more expensive” than tungsten tipped rounds. However, what a convenient mechanism to get rid of toxic waste from atomic plants and make money in the process.One can only assume that somebody in the administration of in the Pentagon wanted Iraq poisoned and laid waste to. At least this is a reasonable query in my view. The people of Iraq must now live with the deadly residual of some 860,000 DU rounds fired by only the US forces. Most farmers and ordinary citizens of Iraq have no concept of these weapons, the remaining contamination of which will remain in Iraqi soil longer than our solar system has been alive. Depleted uranium has a half life in excess of 4.5 billion years—and that is not a type, you read that correctly.Without doubt the US and coalition forces destroyed Iraq, in the most destructive way possible. In a reported by the Middle East Research and Information Project reveals this destruction. On the supportive side of the DU argument, think tanks like the Rand Corporation (http://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/docs/b04151999_bt170-99.htm) continually toe the “party line,” as become clear in this 1999 report. Denial of any connection to illness, in the face of overwhelming proof Gulf War Syndrome suffering, it is a blight on America’s reputation.The use of DU munitions in hot spots around the world has slowed recently, and the Pentagon’s recent “U turn” (supposed) on the use of depleted uranium ammunition is promising. But it’s taken a massive effort by veterans groups and NGOs worldwide, in order to tip the balance. This documentary (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEqE8DdpHOM) film entitled, “Uranium 238: The Pentagon’s Dirty Pool” won Best Short Film at the “First International Uranium Film Festival.” The existence of such a film festival should clue the reader into the hundreds of international movements to ban these weapons. Still, as recently as 2015 the Pentagon was still only “looking” for replacements for DU rounds. I found this news report at the International Coalition to Ban Uranium Weapons. In it, the US Department of Defense sought to: “Identify and produce a low-cost material that matches or exceeds the performance of depleted uranium (DU) in kinetic energy (KE) penetrator applications.” This report (http://www.dtd.ba/portal/index2.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=176&Itemid=42) (PDF) from the University of Sarajevo, Mechanical Engineering Faculty details the dispersion of PGU-14 ammunition during air strikes by A-10 combat aircraft near urban areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1994 during operations “Deny Flight”, “Allied Force” and “Deliberate Force”, among other smaller incursions. The report is the most detailed and damning that I could find, where DU shells’ characteristics and dangers are concerned. On impact, depleted uranium projectiles are rendered into flammable bits of hazardous waste essentially. The incendiaries are turned to either dust or aerosol, along with bits of high velocity fragments that are radioactive and/or toxic. I find it both interesting and horrific that the best data on DU use and contamination always comes from the victims. Furthermore, NATO and the other militaries using DU rounds seldom if ever release information that assists countries in decontaminating areas hit by these rounds.Meanwhile in Syria, the US has A10 Warthogs flying missions now destroying ISIL oil tankers. The A10’s are armed with General Electric’s 30mm GAU-8 cannon, a Gatling gun notorious for firing depleted uranium bullets at 3,900 rounds per minute. The announcement of the A10’s new role in response to Russia’s air campaign against ISIL, took a back seat when the Pentagon announced the tank killer would remain in service past 2020. Defense Secretary, Ash Carter told the press (http://fox6now.com/2016/02/04/u-s-air-force-to-keep-a-10-thunderbolt-aka-warthog-flying/) about the flying anti-tank gun’s continuance, drew immediate praise from Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. A-10s based in Turkey have been credited with strikes against ISIL oil infrastructure and strongholds. And even though the rhetoric from the Pentagon has dampened the outcry against these weapons, their use has apparently not been abated by the US. Focusing on the A10 in particular, the aircraft’s 30mm cannon currently has three ammunition choices; the PGU-14/B API Armor Piercing Incendiary (DU (http://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/pgu-14.htm)), the PGU-13/B HEI High explosive incendiary, and a target practice round designated PGU-15/B TP .As for the ongoing damage depleted uranium has already cause, four studies conducted in 2012 showed the people of Fallujah as having “the highest rate of genetic damage in any population ever studied.” As for the US government’s dogged determination to cling to depleted uranium regardless of the devastation the munitions can cause, the fact General Dynamics and other military industrial contractors are the sole producers of this ammunition bears scrutiny.When I was on active duty in the US Navy, the Phalanx Close in Weapons System (CIWS) had just been developed. It comes as no surprise as to those who economically benefit from such ordnance. Moreover, one should not be shocked that General Dynamics (http://www.gd-ots.com/MCA_20mm_M149.html) happen to be the sole producer of the 20mm MK149 DU rounds CIWS shipboard systems fire. As for other DU manufacture, companies like Honeywell or Orbital ATK (atkhttps://www.orbitalatk.com/defense-systems/armament-systems/30mm/docs/GAU-8A_Fact_Sheet.pdf) make millions off the manufacture and sale of such munitions. It only takes a rudimentary search of the company’s recent press releases to realize how business is booming, and by sheer happenstance this coincides with crisis zones around the world.. One press release (https://www.orbitalatk.com/news-room/release.asp?prid=101) from Orbital, for instance, tells us of a new office opening late last year in Saudi Arabia. Orbital ATK was recently awarded a $105 million dollar contract to produce the “next generation” M1A1 Abrams anti-tank rounds, designated M829A4, as of October 12th, 2015. It is now clear that the Pentagon and policy planners, those who take the most in campaign donations, do not any intentions of eliminating it depleted uranium stocks any time soon, unless they can find the next battlefront to use it up.
In conclusionThe United States military, and it NATO partners, including Turkey, needs to safely elimination their massive stocks of old DU ammunition, and without using them on some unsuspecting country as the preferred disposal mechanism. And to add insult to injury, guess who gets paid to dispose of that old ammo? You guessed it–suppliers like General Dynamics not only get paid to take apart older ammunition. And as sickening as it sounds, they [the same defense contractors] are given new contracts to resupply militaries with updated DU ammo. Based on a counterpunch article, This Counterpunch (http://www.counterpunch.org/2014/05/15/uranium-weapons-still-making-money-wreaking-havoc/), the onslaught of devastation, lies, and collusion connected to these weapons and ammo is criminal. US corporations are now positioned to reap windfall profits. They have no moral or legal responsibility, irradiating and rendering toxic entire regions, is just part of the business. Who is discussing the long-term and cross generational effects of DU munitions. Officially the health and safety issues are not yet fully known, and it will be far worse than what we learned from Agent Orange during Vietnam. Meanwhile the pundits only talk from a safe distance of the acceptable degree of collateral damage. All the while the US and the UK continue doing what they “know only too well” is a war crime. As citizens we all have the duty to be the overseers, for it is clear governmental oversight is non-existent, and those in position have been paid off and are morally bankrupt. Apparently Washington “think thanks” and the Pentagon had created a total-war, scorched Earth manifesto to irradiate whole peoples and regions.Please, somebody prove me wrong!Phil Butler, is a policy investigator and analyst, a political scientist and expert on Eastern Europe, exclusively for the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook” (http://journal-neo.org/).
http://journal-neo.org/2016/02/27/armor-piercing-toxic-shocking-the-us-s-ongoing-depleted-uranium-manifesto/

mick silver

1st March 2016, 05:22 AM

Turkey’s ‘provocative’ military actions could jeopardize Syria ceasefire – Russian militarySource: RT (https://www.rt.com/news/334037-turkey-jeopardize-ceasefire-syria/)

Turkey’s “provocative” military buildup on the border and shelling of the Syrian territory could thwart the truce and disrupt the peace process in the Arab Republic, said the head of the Russian ceasefire monitoring center Lt. Gen. Sergey Kuralenko. Turkey is strengthening its military positions on the border with Syria and is concentrating armored vehicles in the area, Lieutenant General Kuralenko said, denouncing these moves as “obviously provocative steps that could lead to a breakdown of the ceasefire and the peace process in the Syrian Arab Republic.”
The Russian military has examined footage taken by a Russian TV crew near the Syrian city of Tel Abyad located not far from the Turkish border, which demonstrated Ankara’s military “organizing firing positions and concentrating armored vehicles near the border,” Kuralenko said.
Meanwhile Turkish artillery fired (http://on.rt.com/75pn) at least 50 rounds at alleged Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) targets north of Aleppo as part of the US-led coalition's offensive, according to local media reports.
The truce in Syria is generally being observed, the Lt. Gen. added, noting however that terrorist groups shelled populated areas at least seven times on Monday.
“In general, the truce between the governmental troops and the opposition forces on the territory of the Syrian Arab republic holds,” he said adding that a Russian center in Latakia monitors the situation in the six Syrian provinces of Hama, Homs, Latakia, Damascus, Aleppo and Deraa on a 24-hour basis.
“Within the last 24 hours, officers from the Russian [ceasefire monitoring] center as well as Syrian government forces and self-defense forces recorded seven cases of terrorist groups shelling Syrian residential areas,” he told journalists.
Kuralenko said that Al-Nusra militants attacked Syrian Kurdish positions in Aleppo province using artillery, while IS terrorists continued shelling the road between the cities of Hama and Aleppo, making the “delivery of humanitarian aid to Aleppo and nearby provinces impossible.”
The Lieutenant General stressed that governmental forces and the opposition achieved “significant progress” in the reconciliation process in four Syrian provinces, although he did not mention them by name.
The head of the Russian ceasefire monitoring center also discussed the first results of the truce with his US counterpart and they both expressed satisfaction with the joint efforts. “We discussed the first results of the ceasefire and signified satisfaction with the concerted efforts,” Kuralenko told journalists referring to a telephone conversation with representatives of the US ceasefire monitoring center in Amman.
In the meantime, Russian aircraft carried out several air strikes against Al-Nusra front militants to “stabilize the situation” in the regions north of the city of Aleppo, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
Al-Nusra extremists were shelling the Syrian army positions from the Narb-Nafsa village located north of Aleppo. In response, Russian Air Space Forces “carried out missile and bomb attacks against… Al Nusra units in the region and hit positions of terrorists near Narb-Nafsa…” the statement said.
At the same time, the Russian ceasefire monitoring center once again stressed that Russian aircraft conducted no strikes against the groups which joined the truce.
Secretary of State John Kerry said that Moscow and Washington have worked out a mechanism to track down all reported violations of the ceasefire in Syria through specially set up teams in Geneva and Amman. Kerry specified that he and Lavrov agreed that the mechanism should ensure that any strikes in Syria target only Islamic State and Al Nusra Front.
"We are going to track down each alleged violation and work even more now to put in place a construct which will help us to guarantee that missions are indeed missions against Nusra or missions against Daesh [the Arabic name for IS]," Kerry said at a news conference with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
“We have agreed that while there has been some number of violations reported on both sides, and we take them all very seriously, we do not want to litigate these in a public fashion in the press. We want to work to eliminate them. And we have agreed on the process by which we will do that,” he added.
The US’ chief diplomat also noted that the public should not be “surprised” that bombs will be dropped on extremists in Syria.
The ceasefire in Syria was brokered by leading world powers, including the US and Russia, and is meant to pave the way to reconciliation between the Syrian government and moderate rebel forces, which would together agree on a peaceful transition in the country. Some of the stronger forces in Syria, including the terrorist groups Islamic State and Al Nusra Front, are not subject to the ceasefire.

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mick silver

2nd March 2016, 04:49 AM

The Baltic Gambit – Operation Barbarossa 2By Jim W. Dean, Managing Editor (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/dean/) on February 29, 2016
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/20150527_hiding_in_plain_site.jpgThe Atlantic Council’s version of the Ukraine disaster sounds like a children’s story book

by Christopher Black (http://journal-neo.org/author/christopher-black/), … with New Eastern Outlook (http://journal-neo.org/), Moscowhttp://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/15285611281_339294c0a3_b-320x213.jpgAnyone who would promote a bum like Poroshenko should be on the watch list

[ Editor’s note: Mr. Black gives us a good overview of one of the security threats rarely discussed, the rogues’ gallery of characters that you find in the defense industry think tanks, with the Atlantic Council being a prominent example.The papers they crank out are easy to see psyops to prepare the case for what they want to happen, and many even in the Intel community are expecting them to make happen, so the public is primed to go along with their latest geopolitical hustle.These are the folks that manufacture Iranian nuclear weapons program threats as cover for the US missile defense shield in Europe, which the Russians early and accurately protested was aimed at them, without the slightest provocation.Why? These Atlantic Council-type folks don’t need a reason, as they are confident in their ability to not only invent, but to deploy threats, and they have other friends who make sure it comes true.Putin dealt with the NATO hustle in his September 28th talk at Valdai during the Q&A session with former US Ambassador to Russia, Mr. Matlock. Putin was taking the audience down the Yellow Brick Road of the days of negotiating putting Germany back together and not sowing the seed for future strife, which Europe has shown a great talent for doing.Putin said:http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/matlock-jack-325x200.jpgJack Matlock

“Mr. Ambassador [Matlock], your colleagues did not reach agreements then on the basic principles of what would follow Germany’s reunification: the question of prospective NATO membership for Germany, the future of military infrastructure, its forms and development, and the coordination of security issues in Europe.
Oral agreements were reached back then, but nothing was put on paper, nothing fixed, and so it went from there.
But as you all recall from my speech in Munich, when I made this point, back then, the NATO Secretary General gave the oral assurance that the Soviet Union could be sure that NATO – I quote – would not expand beyond the eastern borders of today’s GDR. And yet the reality was completely different. There were two waves of NATO expansion eastwards, and now we have missile defense systems right on our borders too. “
These Atlantic Council-type people are extremely dangerous. Think of them as a White Collar ISIL in limousines, where they don’t chop off the heads of people, but of countries. And they are über-jihadis in terms of twisting the rules or their interpretations to justify whatever it is they want to do.
Think of the ISIL hoodlums raping of the Azadi women, whose story I heard on NPR today, because the women were “apostates and war booty” to be used however needed. That is the mindset of the defense think tank gangsters — you just demonize your target to get the troops all liquored up for what is coming. Our job is to make sure they are at the front of the line when it comes… Jim W. Dean (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/dean/) ]

______________– First published … February 28, 2016 (http://journal-neo.org/2016/02/29/operation-barbarossa-2-the-baltic-gambit/) –http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Black-featured-image-320x215.jpg
On Friday, February 26, just a day before the limited ceasefire in Syria was to take effect, the Atlantic Council, the preeminent NATO think tank, issued a report on the state of readiness of the NATO alliance to fight and win a war with Russia. The focus of the report is on the Baltic states.
The report, entitled “Alliance at Risk” has the sub-heading “Strengthening European Defence in an Age of Turbulence and Competition.” Layers of distortions, half-truths, lies and fantasies of course obscure the fact that it is the NATO countries that have caused the turbulence from the Middle East to Ukraine.
NATO is responsible for nothing in this report, except “protecting the peace.” Russia is the supreme aggressor state, intent on undermining the security of Europe, even intent on attacking Europe, an “existential threat” that NATO must prepare to repel.
An interesting image that appears just below the title page is the logo of the Airbus Group, in letters as large as the title and a statement that the publication is a product of the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security, in partnership with Airbus.
There you have it, the logo of big business, intertwined with the US military machine; portraying one of the principle characteristics of fascism in the west, the interdependence and shared power of the western corporate and military complex.
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Scowcroft-320x213.jpgNational Defense University Foundation honored Lt. General Brent Scowcroft

The Scowcroft Center is named after American Army general Brent Scowcroft, who, among other things, was national security advisor to Presidents Ford and Bush, lately advisor to President Obama and a long associate of Henry Kissinger.
General Scowcroft is interesting for another reason for on September 11, 2001 Scowcroft was on board a US Air Force E-4B aircraft, known as the National Airborne Operations Command Center.
The E-4B is a militarized version of a Boeing 747. Its purpose is to provide the American president, vice president, and Joint Chiefs of Staff with an airborne command center that could be used to execute war plans and coordinate government operations during a national emergency.
The plane was sitting on the tarmac at Andrews Air Force Base, just outside Washington, D.C. waiting to take off for Offutt airbase in Nebraska, the headquarters of the Strategic Air Command when the first plane hit the World Trade Center in New York.
Supposedly the E-4B was to take part in a previously scheduled military exercise called Global Guardian (http://www.historycommons.org/timeline.jsp?timeline=complete_911_timeline&day_of_9/11=bush&printerfriendly=true&startpos=100) involving a mock nuclear war, but just a few minutes after take-off the Pentagon was hit by some type of airborne craft and the E-4B immediately withdrew from the purported scheduled exercise and became the actual American government command and control center.
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Offhut-320x212.jpgForeplay in Nebraska for Foreign War — entrance to Offutt Air Force Base’s bunker, very far underground. Bush Officials are seen entering it on 9/11

It then continued to Offutt Air Base in Nebraska where it delivered Scowcroft and his staff to the National Command Center, their original destination, where he was joined later that day by President Bush and his staff.
Scowcroft was then head of the Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board and an adviser to and friend of President Bush. He was not a member of the armed forces, having been retired. He was a civilian.
It was Scowcroft who later advised against the USA attacking Iraq alone and who called for the building of a “coalition” to invade instead to give the US cover, which is what finally transpired.
Neither his presence on board the E-4B that day nor why it was prepared to be put into action just prior to the attack on the World Trade Center for an alleged military exercise involving a possible nuclear war has ever been adequately explained.
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/los-alamos-fire-from-bank-building-320x214.jpg“Natural Disasters” plus Nukes equals What? What, if anything, moves out of Los Alamos Lab when its workers are evacuated for a full week, as in May 2000 and July 2011, when Las Conchas wildfire threatened the perimeter of Los Alamos National Laboratory, forcing the evacuation of the entire Los Alamos population of 12,000 for a full week (http://www.energycorrespondent.com/2011/08/its-finally-put-out-las-conchas-wildfire-100-contained/)

I digress, but I am sure you cannot blame me, since it is my argument that the NATO alliance will stage a series of actions in the Baltic states using hybrid warfare methods, or will simply manufacture images that will be used to create a new myth to justify war, the myth that Russia is trying to seize the Baltic region.
The report is designed essentially to provide the European governments concerned, that is, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Norway, with propaganda they can feed to the people through the media channels, most of which they control, to justify increased military spending and increased military forces in order to face a “threat” from Russia.
It states at page 6 that:
“The Russian invasion of Crimea, its support for separatists, and its invasion of eastern Ukraine have effectively ripped up the post-Cold War settlement of Europe. President Vladimir Putin has shattered any thoughts of a strategic partnership with NATO; instead, Russia is now a de facto strategic adversary. Even more dangerously, the threat is potentially existential, because Putin has constructed an international dynamic that could put Russia on a collision course with NATO.
At the center of this collision would be the significant Russian-speaking populations in the Baltic states, whose interests are used by the Kremlin to justify Russia’s aggressive actions in the region. Under Article 5 of NATO’s Washington Treaty, any military move by Putin on the Baltic states would trigger war, potentially on a nuclear scale, because the Russians integrate nuclear weapons into every aspect of their military thinking.”
This supports warnings that have been made all last year of a move by NATO in the Baltic states which will be justified by false flag hybrid war operations conducted by NATO, as I have stated several times in other essays. This is emphasized by the recommendation in the report that “to deter any Russian encroachment into the Baltic states, NATO should establish a permanent presence in the region… to prevent a Russian coup de main operation …”
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/lido_903-320x243.jpgWhen has the West or its proxies used nukes in the past 24 months against Syria and Yemen?

Throughout the report the imagined enemy is Russia. Each segment written by an expert in military analysis from each of the countries concerned in the report contains the standard propaganda about Russia and that Europe is vulnerable and about to fall to the Russian hordes.
The level of intelligence they expect the public to have must be very low if they really think such a fantastic document could be taken seriously as a description of reality or that their intentions could be understood as anything less than criminal.
Any intelligent person handed such a document would automatically throw it in the garbage for the trash it is but then he would immediately retrieve it to take a second look, because they are telling us what they are going to do, what they preparing for. I wrote in my last essay that the increased build-up of NATO forces, in eastern Europe especially, has some similarity to the Nazi build-up for the invasion of Russia in 1941 Operation Barbarossa, is in fact a Barbarossa 2.
This new report adds support to the expectation of dangerous actions in the Baltic states that will be blamed on Russia. It is probably not a coincidence that the report was released just as the Syrian cease-fire was to come into effect.
The United States, clearly outwitted, out played and out fought, by the Syrians, Russians, Iranians and their allies in Syria has been forced to accede to a Russian proposed ceasefire for now. But already the Americans have talked about their Plan B, the carving up of Syria, their intention all along.
We can expect them to do all they can to undermine it, engaging in a fight and talk strategy, keeping Russia occupied; in Syria, in constant tension in the Donbass, harassing their allies China and Iran, and now we can expect a new front to be opened in the Baltic states.
What gambit NATO will use to create that front and a direct confrontation with Russia, who can say, but there will be one – the Baltic Gambit.
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/cerro-grande-elk-flee-into-river.jpgWelcome to the Inferno — Does NATO intend to bring a similar inferno with its nukes to the Baltic states? During the Cerro Grande Fire of Los Alamos in May of 2000, the National Park Service-prescribed fire burned so hot that guard rails along the road were melted. Above, elk seek refuge in a river against the roaring inferno

I shall say it once again that this is all illegal under international law, under the United Nations Charter that prescribes the only acceptable means of settling international disputes. Under the Rome Statute this document could be used in evidence against the people that wrote it and applaud it in a trial on the charge of conspiracy to commit war crimes.
But I doubt the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court will ask for a copy to read to draft an indictment. The prosecutor of the Court will do absolutely nothing as all this goes on right in front of her eyes and involving countries over which she has jurisdiction.
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/trident-1-320x315.jpgAmerican officials visited the AWE (https://www.rt.com/news/165696-us-uk-nuclear-proliferation/), which is responsible for the design and manufacture of warheads for the UK’s nuclear deterrent, to discuss the Mutual Defense agreement details. The documents prepared for this visit cite “enhanced collaboration” regarding “nuclear explosive package design and certification” with “possible development of safer, more secure, warheads,” as well as “maintenance of existing stockpiles” of nuclear weapons.

The final disturbing aspect of the document is that it calls for nuclear “modernization” meaning rearmament and increased building of nuclear weapons and delivery systems, a call for more nuclear arms from the same countries which for months have been attacking North Korea for having the same weapons.
You have to give it to them; they’ve got a lot of nerve. Trouble is, they’ve go too much and it really seems that they’re insane.
So what can Russia do? Well, they called the American bluff in Syria, so why not do it again. This world cannot have peace unless peace is the only way that things can be done.
The only way that can happen is to eliminate nuclear weapons so that no nation can threaten the existence of any other.
The French section of the report happily reports that the nuclear disarmament groups in France no longer even bother to mention the matter much anymore so little resistance can be expected from that quarter. That applies around the world.
But if Russia were to throw down the glove and call for mutual disarmament, a rejection by the Americans would at least underline the importance to mankind of nuclear disarmament and would make clear to the world who is the aggressor state. Otherwise it’s the Balkan Gambit… and all that will follow.

Christopher Black (http://journal-neo.org/author/christopher-black/) is an international criminal lawyer based in Toronto; he is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada and he is known for a number of high-profile cases involving human rights and war crimes, especially for the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook” (http://journal-neo.org/).____________

Related Posts:

NEO – Lugar Bioweapons Laboratory: a Time Bomb in Georgia and Region? (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/26/neo-lugar-bioweapons-laboratory-a-time-bomb-in-georgia-and-region/)
NEO – Saudi Arabia: On the Brink of Disintegration (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/24/neo-saudi-arabia-on-the-brink-of-disintegration/)
NEO: Erbil, Western Propaganda and Two Parallel Realities (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/22/neo-erbil-western-propaganda-and-two-parallel-realities/)
NEO – Post-Sanctions Scenario: Iran’s drive to the West (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/21/neo-post-sanctions-scenario-irans-drive-to-the-west/)
NEO – Ankara Blast: Catastrophe of Convenience (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/20/neo-ankara-blast-catastrophe-of-convenience/)

mick silver

3rd March 2016, 09:03 AM

Breaking: US Sabotages Syrian Power Grid
All of Syria’s provinces are in a complete blackout, the country’s SANA news agency reported Thursday.

http://cdn3.img.sputniknews.com/images/103497/38/1034973869.jpg

Editor’s note: Now that the US can no longer get away with bombing Syrian infrastructure “by mistake,” they have gone further. Before Langley begins their champagne toasts, victimizing the Syrian people is like “shooting fish in a barrel.” Time to defund the CIA, another of their sleazy war crimes.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The source said the reason for the outages is being investigated and hopes power will be renewed in the next few hours.
“Electricity has been cut off throughout all of the provinces,” a source in the Energy Ministry told the agency.
Russia and the United States reached an agreement on the ceasefire in Syria on February 22. The truce, which took effect on Saturday at midnight Damascus time, has been backed by the UN Security Council, which adopted a resolution on Friday shortly before the ceasefire came into force.

mick silver

3rd March 2016, 09:10 AM

Large landing warship to deliver supplies for Russian air task force in SyriaBy GPD (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/admin/) on March 3, 2016
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/lido_1059-1.jpg

https://phototass3.cdnvideo.ru/fit/333x9999_4ec25037/tass/m2/en/uploads/i/20160219/1124834.jpg (http://tass.ru/en/defense/838723)
Russian Navy ships in fight against Islamic State (http://tass.ru/en/defense/838723)

MOSCOW, March 3. /TASS/. The Russian Black Sea Fleet (http://tass.ru/en/russia/721411)’s large amphibious assault ship Novocherkassk is expected to arrive at Russia’s naval facility in Tartus with supplies for the Russian forces in Syria, a military and diplomatic source told TASS on Thursday.
According to the designated data, the Novocherkassk will deliver supplies for the Russian military grouping in Syria on March 4 unless this effort is impeded by bad weather conditions.
The large amphibious assault ship Novocherkassk passed the straits zone on Wednesday and headed for the south-eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea,” the source said.

A naval link-up has been continuously operating between the Russian Black Sea Fleet base in Novorossiysk and Syria’s Tartus since the beginning of the Russian air task force’s operation in Syria for the provision of supplies for Russia’s grouping.

Russia moves extra drones, radars to Syria to monitor truce (http://tass.ru/en/defense/859934)

The large amphibious assault ship Novocherkassk is carrying out a planned shuttle operation. It will unload the cargo in Tartus, replenish water and fuel supplies and return to the Novorossiysk base. Another large amphibious assault ship will arrive with military cargoes as its replacement,” the source said.
Russia has been carrying out an anti-terror operation in Syria since September 30, 2015 at the request of Syrian President Bashar Assad. The Russian air task force is operating against militants in Syria. Some strikes against terrorists were delivered by the Russian Navy.
A ceasefire regime has been in effect in Syria from February 27 but it does not apply to the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra groupings (both outlawed in Russia) and some other formations recognized as terrorist groups by the UN Security Council.

Glass

3rd March 2016, 12:31 PM

what happens now?

mick silver

3rd March 2016, 06:41 PM

Saudi Air Force Deploys to Support Turkey’s Military Intervention in SyriaBy South Front (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/southfront/) on March 3, 2016

…from SouthFront (https://southfront.org/saudi-air-force-deploys-to-support-turkeys-military-intervention-in-syria/)Following the announcement by the Saudi Defense Ministry on Saturday February 14th that the kingdom intended to commit both air and ground forces to the fight against ISIS in Syria, the first four Royal Saudi Airforce F-15S strike fighters arrived at Incirlik air base on Friday February 26th.
These jets were immediately proceeded by approximately thirty officers and men and supporting equipment aboard two C-130 transports. It is obvious that Saudi Arabia is sending air forces and possibly ground forces not to combat ISIS and Al- Nusrah Front, having funded them for years, but to ensure that the Syrian government is not able to regain sovereignty of the entirety of the nation.
Saudi Arabia has one of the most modern and well-equipped air forces in the region and has invested heavily in this military tool for over two decades and fields an impressive inventory of strike aircraft. The Saudi air force uses a mix of both U.S. and European aircraft, from the venerable F-15C and Tornado, to the relatively new Typhoon.
The F-15Cs and Tornados have all recently been modernized and 48 units of the Typhoon have been delivered to the Kingdom from Britain. The F-15S is the Saudi version of the F-15E Strike Eagle strike fighter. It is planned to upgrade all of these units to the latest F-15SA standard over the next few years.
The Saudi Air Force has ordered a total of 72 Typhoon T-2 and T3A variants from BAE of the UK. Although this is a modern fighter with strike capabilities, it is rather unproven in combat compared to the F-15s and Tornados historically operated by the Saudis. Saudi aircraft will most likely only operate from Incirlik airbase, along with U.S. and other NATO air forces. This air base has the infrastructure and logistics in place to handle the aircraft of various NATO types. The base is also close to the proposed area of operations (Northern Syria) and is guarded by modern air defenses.
Any Saudi force would most likely only go into battle with the backing of a U.S. or NATO mandate, and the employment of U.S. and NATO aircraft in preliminary strikes. It remains to be seen if the United States and NATO will decide to support Turkey and Saudi Arabia in such an escalation of hostilities. Saudi Arabia’s threat of direct military intervention in Syria also signals the failure of their war by proxy.
Their armed gangs of Islamic zealots and terrorists have largely collapsed as a viable threat on the battlefield and face a certain defeat. A failure in Syria along with a stalemate in Yemen may prove to be one failure too many for a Saudi monarchy that is suffering from internal division amongst itself and the hundreds of clans whose loyalty ensures their legitimacy.
It is very clear that any air campaign engaged upon by Turkey and Saudi Arabia alone will be met with a swift and effective Russian response with both ground and naval-based air defenses as well as the most modern and capable air superiority fighters in the region.
Russia has made it extremely clear, in diplomatic yet unambiguous terms that it will not allow any outside forces to invade Syria to topple the government and secure their own aims in violation of Syrian sovereignty. Additionally, Russia has international law on its side in any dispute. It is carrying out military operations within Syria at the request of the legitimate government of that nation.
While the assets of the RSAF are modern and capable, they do not represent a technological or combat experience advantage over the forces that Russia can bring to bear in response. Russian air force and air defense forces based in Syria alone present a strong deterrent to any outside power seeking to violate the airspace of Syria without the expressed permission of the Syrian government.
It is understood that any direct military confrontation between Saudi Arabia and Russia will further complicate and expand a costly regional conflict into a global one. The arrival of the first Saudi combat aircraft immediately prior to the start of the U.S.-Russia brokered ceasefire sends a clear message that neither Saudi Arabia nor Turkey desire a cessation of hostilities any time soon.

mick silver

3rd March 2016, 06:49 PM

America has built armies for 4 dozen nations around the world at a cost of nearly $7 trillion with interest, making up the single biggest source for America’s national debt, money almost entirely stolen. We can judge Russia in Syria by the results, which thus far have been impressive

mick silver

3rd March 2016, 06:52 PM

would this not be a act of war ? .... US Declares Financial War On Russia

mick silver

3rd March 2016, 07:00 PM

Syria is an example of what these capabilities mean for Russia. It is no accident that Putin’s request to raise the strategic nuclear force readiness level to 95% came when he instructed the General Staff to destroy any potential threat to Russian aircraft or ground facilities in Syria. The Russian military presence in Syria is not large enough to guarantee survival against a concerted NATO attack. Fifty aircraft located at a single airbase, even one protected by the S-400, are still vulnerable due to their exposed location and lack of strategic depth. Russian conventional forces could not easily come to Hmeimim’s aid in the event of it being attacked by NATO forces. What makes Hmeimim secure from attack is the credible and flexible deterrence posture.
What makes that deterrence both credible and flexible is the variety and modernity of Russia’s delivery vehicle force which is not limited to having to launch a multi-warhead ICBM or SLBM, and which can penetrate all current or planned defenses. The credibility of Russia’s nuclear deterrent is strengthened by the existence of a powerful conventional deterrent in the form of Kalibr and Kh-101 cruise missiles. The use of these missiles against ISIS targets was likely motivated to dissuade any countries hostile to Russia’s presence in Syria because it demonstrated Russia could use these weapons to retaliate against any attack on Hmeimim. The target state would then have to choose between backing down or escalating, thus risking a nuclear exchange with Russia. If Russia simply had an ICBM and SLBM force, Hmeimim would be a much more tempting target because an ICBM launch would be disproportionate response to the attack. Russia’s strategic force modernization plans indicate that its leadership anticipates Syria-like scenarios in the years to come.https://southfront.org/russia-military-report-nuclear-triad-modernization/

mick silver

6th March 2016, 05:58 AM

Russia and Turkey Move Closer to War with Assassination Ploy
Turks and Saudi's Moving Against Regional Leaders - Sources in Lebanon, Russia

http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/02-19-15_Erdogan-Tyrant-720x340-640x302.jpgby Gordon Duff, with Nahed al Husaini, VT Damascus (http://www.veteranstoday.com/staff-writers/)There are multiple confirmations today, from sources in Hezbollah intelligence in Lebanon, from Iraq and now directly from Russia. Sources also reveal that Russia has become increasingly frustrated and impatient with Turkey for that nations intransigence in the face of numerous communications from Moscow.

Russia has made every effort to inform Turkey that their provocations in Syria will lead to war and the removal of the Erdogan government.

This will happen during the Obama presidency for reasons Erdogan just doesn’t get and will be done with tacit US approval and to the great relief of NATO and the EU, who now see Turkey as a threat to European security.
An assassination list has been intercepted, a broad plot by Saudi Arabia and Turkey, to kill regional leaders in Iraq and Lebanon. The purpose is to drive sectarian conflict and broaden those involved in a war they fear may actually end someday, something they see as a political disaster.
The list:

Druze leader Walid Jumblatt
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasarallah
Iraqi Shiite cleric Muktada al Sadr
Former Lebanese Prime Minister (General) Michael Auon, a Christian

other names are being withheld…
The teams assigned were hired in Britain and are former operators for British and Israeli intelligence with well established legends (identities).
The first stage in the attacks was to gain authorization from the US and Britain. In order to authorize the assassination of Nasarallah and Sadr, it was necessary for the Gulf Cooperation Council to declare Hezbollah a terrorist organization.
With the Russian military grouping having already stabilized the situation in Syria and the Syrian Army well underway in a training and refitting schedule, and with clear Russian threats against Saudi Arabia and Turkey, there is increased desperation in both Riyadh and Ankara among the ruling extremist factions.

“Truck convoys with materiel and weaponry cross the border from Turkey to Syria round the clock. They are headed exclusively to areas controlled by al-Nusra Front and Ahrar ash-Sham terrorist groups,” Lt. Gen. Kuralenko, commander of the Hmeymim-based Russian center for Syrian reconciliation, told reporters.

“Artillery shelling of Kurdish militia units, fighting against Nusra Front, continues from the territory of a Turkish border post near Yanankey,” Kuralenko said, adding that these actions hinder the restoration of peace and reconciliation in the Aleppo and Idlib provinces.
There is also evidence of a serious split between Israel and their allies, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Israel has been vocal recently in their criticism of Turkey and has told the press of an attempt by the UAE to purchase nuclear weapons, seen by some as a “left handed” way of saying they already sold tactical nukes to Saudi Arabia, something we are told Netanyahu deeply regrets.
We have confirmation that Israel has a comprehensive security agreement with Russia which includes guarantees that advanced armaments will not be supplied to Hezbollah in return for Israel curtailing some activities which may or may not include their role in Yemen.
There is also considerable “informed speculation” about Israel’s relationship with Iran after the recent election. There is an expectation that doors will open to return of broad economic cooperation between the two nations. Israel increasingly is looking on joint Turkish and Saudi ambitions as a long term direct threat to the security of Israel, a policy turn-around that points out a number of Likudist blunders of late, including the poisoning of relations with both American political parties.
The real issue, and sources are mixed on this, is how Russia will respond to Turkey’s flagrant violations of the cease fire agreement, not just their shelling of the US backed YPG Kurds. Turkey is moving columns of weapons into Syria for mixed units, Turkish advisors and unit leaders with Saudi hired mercenaries, in an all out attempt to save Turkey’s military center in Idlib province, the city of Jisr Ash Shugur, which is now under direct threat by the Syrian Arab Army and Russian forces.
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/lido_1066.jpg
VT has strong confirmations that Russian Vladimir Putin now takes the actions of Turkey’s President, Recip Erdogan personally including Erdogan’s involvement backing extremist elements in Ukraine, his nuclear weapons program, Turkey’s partnership with Georgia in the development and use of biological and chemical weapons and Turkey’s direct support of terrorism inside Russia.
Putin considers Erdogan a madman. More than one source has confirmed that within hours Turkey’s air forces and major armored units would be obliterated by tactical nuclear weapons within minutes of what Russia would term a “redline violation” by Turkey.
Turkey is playing with that “redline” now.

mick silver

10th March 2016, 06:31 AM

NEO – Winning the Right Upcoming WarBy Jim W. Dean, Managing Editor (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/dean/) on March 8, 2016
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Russian-Rockets-God_02475871046-640x433.jpgCorporate media has censored Russia Christian heritage out of the War on Terror narrative

by Gordon Duff (http://www.veteranstoday.com/staff-writers/), with New Eastern Outlook (http://journal-neo.org/2016/03/08/winning-the-right-upcoming-war/), Moscowhttp://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Gordon_Duff1.gifWe have all come a long way from the defining “bad war” in our lives

[ Editor’s Note: This is another of one Gordon’s “How the world really works” articles. VT readers will notice the touch of anger and venting in it, but that is part of his brand, sincere concern and indignation, and fortunately the ability to voice that which we have here on VT. But nobody gave it to us. We had to earn it.
While we are seeing some current bright spots in the otherwise insane asylum we all are living in, there remains the problem that those powers that are the engine for this parade of horrors go to bed every night not worried about having their lives turned upside down.
They can deal with losing now and then, as long as they remain in the game to fight another day. That seems to be in their DNA, but we are the ones that pay.
Front and center today we have Turkey and Saudi Arabia wanting to “redraw” the Mid East, and I don’t remember the rest of us being invited to the party. The EU, NATO and the US look like they are being manipulated, when we are accustomed to seeing them run that game historically. So we are watching a mini, not-too-cold war going on now under the guise of stabilizing the situation.
The above players define stabilizing as having everything they want at someone else’s expense — something that must be written into the UN charter in invisible ink, as it is a clear violation of the member countries, yet no one ever gets thrown out, nor even sanctioned for it. This is a classic Gordon piece. Enjoy… Jim W. Dean (http://www.veteranstoday.com/staff-writers/) ]

_____________http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/hi-syria-inshallah-852-640x360.gif“Are we willing to match them, or even better… speed up the process?” … Jim W. Dean

– First published … March 08, 2016 –http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/crop_feature-320x214.jpg
There is a nasty case of blindness going around. Mad King Erdogan has just been in Ghana and Nigeria, extolling the virtues of doing business with Turkey. Nigeria is drowning in terrorism and Islamic extremism, Turkey’s biggest financial export with “reluctant” buyers all over the region.
Now he is aiming for Africa, the real soft underbelly, where the Saudis have bought their way in behind their Israeli business partners for decades. They have been sewing corruption, infiltrating media, communications, government and gaining control of the region’s natural resources.
All the while, money has moved out, poverty has moved in, with rigged elections, leaving hopelessness and instability behind. Even Christian nations like Ghana will eventually fall under the sword of Islamic extremism, which many now accept is little more than a front for global organized crime.
There is little question that there can be no stability in the world until Turkey and Saudi Arabia see regime change. It seems to be happening already in Saudi Arabia, or so we read on an almost daily basis, but in Turkey, we see centralization of power, ethnic cleansing, and a military dictatorship that has now morphed from pseudo-democracy to a full-scale predator state.
Turkey has almost single handedly destroyed Europe and has done so “on the cheap,” using only a couple million refugees. Coffers are filled with Saudi cash to bribe the corrupt EU bureaucracy and the rest, the rise of the right, the media frenzy – all has cost little or nothing.
This has been tactically brilliant.
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/P20-Cover_ANDY-copy-2-800x500-320x200.jpgWhat is being done to women has also not gotten the Saudi Wahabbis the heat they deserve

Russia’s standalone attempt to block what they see as a war on Christianity — yes, Russia sees itself as defending Christian values, if you can believe it — is a huge risk. Erdogan’s use of NATO and the politically divided and deeply radicalized United States as a surrogate has been less successful than he wants, but the endgame favors Erdogan.
There is little doubt that with Saudi planes sitting in Turkey, with nuclear weapons in play in the hands of Saudi Arabia and perhaps Turkey and the Gulf States as well, that these “tin pots” believe the US will prevent Russia from turning their cities to glass. We are seeing what may well play out as decades of ever expanding war.
Yes, the oft-warned clash of civilizations, the high birth rates of Islam, the failed states, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Egypt and but for Russia, Syria as well, are a “stage one” base of operations. Add to that Sudan and then Mali, a balkanized Nigeria, Cameroon, perhaps Kenya or the Central African Republic or the Congo, and you begin to see world conquest “on the cheap.”
One regiment of Rommel’s tanks could have wiped out the whole pack. Yet the corruption, lack of political will and momentum alone will recreate what we have seen on a small scale in the experimental “hot house” Islamic State, the political surrogate of the Israeli-Turkish-Saudi nexus in partnership with organized crime.
In the end, the only answer will be war. Only Russia can split Turkey to balkanize the bastardized remains of the Ottoman Empire before it spreads like a disease across Europe and Asia. Am I overestimating? I think not.
A military review of capabilities shows that Russia can, when and if it chooses, take down Turkey in less than 6 months. A Russian buildup in Armenia and recent exercises are more than a show of force, but a preparation for combat operations that Russia recognizes, though no one else does, that there will be no option other than surrender or fight.
America has “punched itself out,” like an exhausted fighter, purposely drawn into wars by its own corrupt leadership, beholding to organized crime and subservient to an Israeli lobby that may well now be reconsidering its suicidal partnership with the Turks and Saudis.
From both a military and geopolitical standpoint, a number of things need to happen.

Iran needs to confront Turkey and prepare a mobile combat force with a credible air force that can move against Turkey as part of a Russian led coalition.
The United States has to more openly recognize its commonality with Russia. Like it or not, America may be confronted with that crusade that the Bush regime talked about, but one that is more action than talk. America’s national security is threatened by Wahhabist extremism, which America is largely responsible for. The only remaining answer is war, quick and surgical if possible, but war. Pointing this out is painful.
Turkey needs to be split, with the Kurdish people getting the nation they deserve, one with Barzani and his gangster allies excluded.
America needs to recognize that the creation of a failed state in Ukraine and the destruction of Greece and the Balkans has been perpetrated on behalf of Islamists only, that the new “Cold War” has been a con from day one.

http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/20080115_d-0009-515h-320x221.jpgOne of the crazy things going on is seeing former colonies wanting to be colonizers themselves, like the Saudis

After nearly 60 years of supposed post-war decolonization in Africa and the Middle East, most of which has been achieved by CIA machinations, combined with a decade of drought, two decades of war and worldwide economic collapse, the world is a tinderbox and the jihadis have lots of matches.
The Gulf States have too many arms, too many mercenaries, and no one who wants to take responsibility for any failures. The chances for a soft landing getting slimmer and slimmer.
In terms of looking for any real leadership, I am reminded of Ross Perot’s famous line about the NAFTA trade bill — that America would hear a giant sucking sound as jobs left the country forever, and he was right.
It was the beginning of the decline of America’s middle class, and the flooding of illegal immigrants into the country, a different version of what is happening right now in Europe. The death blow will come when Ukraine gets its EU visa regime in place, which will unleashes five million new economic refugees, angry people over the US and EU using them as cannon fodder against Russia, and turning a struggling Ukraine into one with no future.
Welcome to the New World Order.

Gordon Duff is a Marine combat veteran of the Vietnam War that has worked on veterans and POW issues for decades and consulted with governments challenged by security issues. He’s a senior editor and chairman of the board of Veterans Today (http://www.veteranstoday.com/), especially for the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook (http://journal-neo.org/).”
________________
Related Posts:

NEO – Erdogan’s Plan, Islamic Empire or Armageddon (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/21/neo-erdogans-plan-islamic-empire-or-armageddon/)
NEO – Logistics of Terrorist Support Mechanisms in Georgia and Turkish Dirty Wars (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/18/neo-logistics-of-terrorist-support-mechanisms-in-georgia-and-turkish-dirty-wars/)
NEO – Washington’s Machiavellian Game in Syria (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/17/neo-washingtons-machiavellian-game-in-syria/)
NEO – The New Year Brings More Geopolitical Madness (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/01/30/neo-the-new-year-brings-more-geopolitical-madness/)
NEO – Damascus Counter-Terrorism conference – One year later (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2015/12/06/neo-damascus-counter-terrorism-conference-one-year-later/)

mick silver

10th March 2016, 11:44 AM

Syrian Kurds accuse Turkey of aiding sarin gas delivery to rebels after fresh chemical attacks Published time: 10 Mar, 2016 01:09Edited time: 10 Mar, 2016 02:18
Get short URL (http://on.rt.com/76jh)

© Stringer / Reuters

In an interview with RT, a spokesman for the Kurdish YPG militia accused Turkey of providing a clear transit route for the chemical weapons that were deployed against them near the city of Aleppo on Tuesday.
READ MORE: ISIS shelled Kurdish-controlled Iraq village with 'poisonous substances' – governor (https://www.rt.com/news/335026-isis-iraq-poisonous-substances/)
Read more
https://cdn.rt.com/files/2016.03/thumbnail/56df3f84c46188ba378b4571.jpgSyrian Kurds say jihadists used phosphorus in chemical attack in Aleppo (https://www.rt.com/news/334928-ypg-syria-chemical-attack/)
Syrian anti-government militants “took advantage of the ceasefire” to launch attacks against a Kurdish-controlled area near Aleppo in northern Syria, Redur Xelil told RT. The attackers targeted a civilian district of what was once Syria’s biggest city, and has since become a key battleground. According to Xelil, the shells emitted an “unnatural smell” and “yellow smoke” upon impact, indicating that chemical weapons were involved.
“Our sources inside the rebel groups have confirmed that toxic substances were used. We also have verified information that sarin gas was delivered to them from Turkey. All signs point to the fact that these factions were using banned weapons, but we cannot access the launching area, as it is located on the front between the Turkish and rebel forces,” Xelil told RT by Skype from Rojava in Syria.
Kurdish deputies in the Turkish parliament have previously accused Ankara of supplying Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) and other jihadist groups inside Syria with chemical weapons, which are used both in their fight against the Syrian government and to pin responsibility for their deployment on the regime of President Bashar Assad.
Tuesday’s attack, which also involved phosphorus, did not result in any severe casualties.

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“This attack was a failure, but this doesn’t mean that there won’t be another one. We are convinced the enemy has improvised shells containing phosphorus and sarin gas,” said Xelil.
READ MORE: Who’s behind alleged Aleppo chemical weapons attack? (https://www.rt.com/op-edge/335016-chemical-weapons-kurds-isis-aleppo/)

Last month, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) accused IS of using chemical weapons against Kurdish forces throughout 2015. Reports emerged on Wednesday revealing that the jihadist group had launched a new chemical attack on the Kurdish village of Zaza in northern Iraq, in which more than 40 civilians suffered chemical burns and lung damage.

mick silver

11th March 2016, 08:14 AM

Taking Aim at Russia’s ‘Underbelly’

While loudly complaining about “Russian aggression,” the U.S. government escalates plans for encircling Russia in a modern “Great Game,” writes Jonathan Marshall.

By Jonathan Marshall

March 10, 2016 "Information Clearing House (http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/)" - "Consortium News (https://consortiumnews.com/2016/03/09/taking-aim-at-russias-underbelly/)" - Two hundred years after the “Great Game (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Game)” for domination of Central Asia began with the Russo-Persian Treaty of 1813, Washington is maneuvering to increase its military presence on Russia’s underbelly, this time through a “counterterrorism partnership” with Tajikistan and its neighbors. Last month, the Pentagon announced (http://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/Documents/defbudget/fy2017/FY2017_CTPF_J-Book.pdf) plans for $50 million in new military aid to Central Asia — with a focus on Tajikistan — to “counter the Taliban, ISIL [an acronym for Islamic State], and other regionally-based terrorist groups, and to promote stability in the region.” The aid will also help the U.S. military get its feet in the door by enabling “interoperability and collaboration” with local partner armed forces.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/kazakhstan.JPG (https://consortiumnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/map-tajikistan.png)
The program comes at a time when the United States and NATO are trying to counter Moscow by providing billions of dollars in new aid (http://www.eurasianet.org/node/77291) to Russia’s neighbors, from the Baltic States and Ukraine to Georgia, and stepping up naval exercises (http://www.eurasianet.org/node/77316) in the Black Sea. The announcement follows a visit last November (http://www.jamestown.org/regions/centralasia/single/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=44862&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=660&cHash=7289c14ee8a62f508608fc8d82567f61#.Vt-VlvkrJDk) by Secretary of State John Kerry to Tajikistan and other former Soviet republics in the region, where he pledged “U.S. security cooperation.”
It also represents the first major escalation of U.S. military aid to Central Asia since the Pentagon sponsored an intensive training program for special forces in Kyrgystan and Tajikistan in 2012 and 2013. That operation, ostensibly aimed at boosting narcotics enforcement, was criticized by researchers (http://www.eurasianet.org/node/67819) who noted that it would simply eliminate competitors of the country’s biggest drug trafficking rings, which are led by high-level politicians and state officials.
The new military aid program, if approved by Congress, aims to offset reverses suffered by Washington in the region in 2014. That year the government of Kyrgyzstan closed a major U.S. air base, which had been implicated in notoriously corrupt dealings (http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/04/07/five-years-revolution-tulip-democracy-central-asia-kyrgyzstan/) with the country’s former president. Kyrgyzstan also joined the Eurasian Economic Union, a common market that includes Russia, and terminated an aid agreement with Washington (http://m.sputniknews.com/analysis/20150820/1025992080.html).
The United States is not Tajikistan’s only suitor, however. The chief of staff of Pakistan’s army, General Raheel Sharif, met earlier this month with Tajikistan’s president, Emomali Rahmon, to discuss (http://www.eurasianet.org/node/77671) “cooperation between national armies and law enforcement agencies of Tajikistan and Pakistan in the fight against modern threats and challenges, including terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking.”
His visit came just one day after a leading Chinese military official told President Rahmon that Beijing was ready to “enhance military cooperation and multilateral counter-terrorism collaboration with Tajikistan.”
Tajikistan is already a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (http://www.cfr.org/china/shanghai-cooperation-organization/p10883), which promotes military cooperation and intelligence sharing with China, Russia and other member states. Tajikistan is also a key transit country for a huge new gas pipeline (http://www.eurasianet.org/node/69976) slated to run from Turkmenistan to China. China’s longer-run plans call for Tajikistan to become the first link (http://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/articles/16853/tajikistan-unrest-could-put-a-roadblock-in-china-s-big-silk-road-plans) in a planned commercial route from China to Europe’s markets, called the Silk Road Economic Belt.
For now, Russia still enjoys the strongest presence in Tajikistan. It stations several thousand troops in the country to support border security. Moscow recently earmarked (http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/21/world/asia/russia-pulls-back-from-cooperating-with-us-on-afghanistan.html) $1.2 billion to train and equip Tajikistan’s army and plans to hold major joint exercises (http://www.eurasianet.org/node/77671) in coming days. Russia hopes to prevent Islamist insurgents (http://www.jamestown.org/programs/edm/single/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=44515&cHash=80c8c432f1b24fd158aee2d54854f5b5#.Vt-VavkrJDk) from moving out of Afghanistan and destabilizing other Muslim countries on or near Russia’s southern border.
All of the governments courting Tajikistan are turning a blind eye to the corruption (http://www.eurasianet.org/node/77056) and brutality of the country’s regime — which even the Russian media note is becoming “totalitarian (http://regnum.ru/news/polit/2090517.html).” This May, voters in Tajikistan will almost certainly approve a referendum (http://www.eurasianet.org/node/77241) to anoint President Rahmon “Leader of the Nation” and amend the Constitution to exempt him from the two-term limit.
Human Rights Watch and the Norwegian Helsinki Committee in February accused (http://lobelog.com/tajikistan-severe-crackdown-on-political-opposition/#more-33113) the Rahmon government of “arresting, imprisoning, and torturing members of the country’s peaceful political opposition” and even kidnapping critics who live abroad.
One critic of the Rahmon regime was shot dead in Istanbul (http://www.eurasianet.org/node/77391); another was seized in Moscow, where he had lived for a decade, and flown home to serve a 13-year prison sentence.
Said one senior researcher at Human Rights Watch (http://lobelog.com/tajikistan-severe-crackdown-on-political-opposition/#more-33113), “Tajikistan is in the midst of the worst political and religious crackdown since the end of the country’s civil war,” which claimed the lives of up to 100,000 people (http://thediplomat.com/2015/10/russia-supports-tajikistanfor-a-price/) in mid-1990s. “Hundreds of people [are] landing behind bars for no other reason than their peaceful political work. Tajikistan’s human rights crisis is expanding by the day, but the response of Washington, Brussels, and other international partners has fallen seriously short.”
Human rights groups called on the Obama administration to “designate Tajikistan a ‘country of particular concern’ under the International Religious Freedom Act, for its systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious and political freedoms without further delay.”
So far, however, the Pentagon’s plans for a closer “counterterrorism partnership” appear to be trumping the cause of human rights in Washington. And the European Union, also hoping to wean Tajikistan away from Russia, pledged (http://www.eurasianet.org/node/77391) 251 million Euros for development funding.
For millions of people suffering under corrupt, repressive regimes in Tajikistan and the other “Stans” of Central Asia, such interventions perpetuate the “Great Game” that foreign powers have played at their expense for two centuries. From the U.S. perspective, perpetuating our mindless military competition with Russia in such distant lands is both counterproductive and inhumane. It’s time for Washington to stop playing the Game.
Jonathan Marshall is author or co-author of five books on international affairs, including The Lebanese Connection: Corruption, Civil War and the International Drug Traffic (http://www.amazon.com/Lebanese-Connection-Corruption-International-Stanford/dp/0804781311/) (Stanford University Press, 2012). Some of his previous articles for Consortiumnews were “Risky Blowback from Russian Sanctions (https://consortiumnews.com/2015/01/19/risky-blowback-from-russian-sanctions/)”; “Neocons Want Regime Change in Iran (https://consortiumnews.com/2015/03/02/neocons-want-regime-change-in-iran/)”; “Saudi Cash Wins France’s Favor (https://consortiumnews.com/2015/05/08/saudi-cash-wins-frances-favor/)”; “The Saudis’ Hurt Feelings (https://consortiumnews.com/2015/05/14/the-saudis-hurt-feelings/)”; “Saudi Arabia’s Nuclear Bluster (https://consortiumnews.com/2015/05/19/saudi-arabias-nuclear-bluster/)”; “The US Hand in the Syrian Mess (https://consortiumnews.com/2015/07/20/the-us-hand-in-the-syrian-mess/)”; and “Hidden Origins of Syria’s Civil War. (https://consortiumnews.com/2015/07/20/hidden-origins-of-syrias-civil-war/)”]

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mick silver

11th March 2016, 08:16 AM

Putin’s Invitation to War By Felix Imonti
March 10, 2016 "Information Clearing House (http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/)" - Putin’s unwelcomed invitation to rescue Bashar Al-Assad from collapse was issued on television in the summer of 2015 when the world was told that four years of constant warfare had decimated the ranks of the Syrian National Army. The revelation of a pending disaster was in fact an ultimatum to Putin. The collapse of Al-Assad’s regime would result in Russia’s losing its only foreign port at Tardus and Russia’s remaining regional influence. Putin had no options but was forced into a war that he cannot afford to lose nor afford to fight.
Preserving national dignity and his own political career left Vladimir Putin with no other choice than to join forces with Assad. However, he is faced with the dilemma of how to engage in a war without becoming embroiled in that war. He faced a similar problem in the Ukraine and managed successfully to achieve his limited objectives of neutralizing the Ukraine by blocking it from joining NATO and the EU. This was accomplished by keeping the conflict below a level at which NATO would be forced to be involved.
The tool was those infamous “little green men” who organized local resistance to the Kiev administration. The real Army remained on the Russian side of the frontier as a warning to NATO.
While Russia has to minimize its profile in the Ukraine, it has to maximize it in Syria. Putin is being forced to deploy the military when its modernization is still in its early stages and is handicapped by budget restrictions from collapsing oil prices and sanctions.
Creating from the outset the image of a powerful modern military was an essential part of what was “Surprise and Awe.” Russian air forces arrived in Syria in grand style by reaching their base in Latakia undetected.
Once the bombing was underway, cruise missiles were launched from ships in the Caspian Sea and from the Rostov-on-Don submarine in the Mediterranean. It was an opportunity to impress the world with the quality of its weapons.
High on the list of vital objectives was to interdict the corridor between Turkey and the Islamic State in Syria which the United States has avoided attacking. Convoys of oil tankers were carrying crude oil for sale in Turkey at a third of world prices and supplies as well as fresh recruits were crossing into Syria.
The target is a stretch of land sixty-two miles wide along the Northern border of Syria. It is that territory of 1,550 square miles under the control of the Islamic State, Jabhat al-Nusra and the FSA that Erdagon of Turkey has been attempting to make a no-fly-zone or safe-zone where refugees from Syria can be held outside of Turkish territory. The presence of thousands of refugees offers the extra benefit of providing a shield against efforts to interdict the vital trade route between the Islamic State, Jabhat al-Nusra, and Turkey.
Recep Tayyip Erdagon has begun a sustained artillery bombardment on Kurdish positions crossing the Euphrates River in order to occupy the territory. If the Turks do move against the Kurds, it will have to be without the backing of NATO or the U.S. The recent acquisition of the Rmeilan airfield in the Kurdish province of Hasakah in Northern Syria by the U.S. is a clear signal to Ankara that Washington is shifting its support to the Kurds. The reversal of the U.S. stand towards the continuation of the Al-Assad administration and the agreement to accept Russian bombing around Aleppo confirms that Washington has accepted Russian-Iranian strategy.
Supported by Arab units of the U.S. sponsored Syrian Democratic Force, the Kurds are moving against the towns of Azaz, al-Bab, Manbaj and Jarabulus. When they gain control of the stretch of land, they will complete the bridge between the two Kurdish enclaves that comprise Western Kurdistan, Rojava. Erdagon fears that a contiguous Kurdish territory from the Iraq border to the shore of the Mediterranean will be followed by a declaration of independence. He is likely correct that an independent Rojava is on the horizon and will encourage the twenty million Kurds of Turkey to seek their separation from a country that denies them equal standing.
Already, the Kurds in Rojava have formed local administrations in a unique structure that incorporates the various ethnic groups. The infrastructure for an independent state is being put in place and Bashar Al-Assad has granted de facto independence to the Kurds. They have established what is, in effect, a diplomatic office in Moscow with additional offices planned for other capitals.
By aiding the Kurdish aspiration for a single united geographic state, Vladimir Putin can build a Kurdish Wall that is his ultimate weapon against the Islamic State at little cost to Russia. If IS cannot sell its oil and import recruits, the caliphate will slowly wither.
Putin does not need to commit large numbers of Russian troops onto the battlefield. He has thousands of little green men in the form of Kurds, the Syrian National Army, and the Iranian IRG to provide the combat forces. Russia has the fire power from its aircraft, and the newly introduced long range artillery and tanks to force the opposition into a grinding war of attrition.
The Russians can declare that their strategy is proving to be successful, but there is a potential flaw in the plan, namely Turkey and Saudi Arabia. The Saudis along with the Turks are seeing their five yearlong campaign to overthrow the Al-Assad regime facing defeat. Their last hope is to persuade Washington to lead an invasion into Syria, but the United States has no interest in jumping into another minefield. Washington is opting for what is believed to be the better strategy of having the Kurds, Russians and others do the fighting while the United States does the minimum.

Felix Imonti studied international relations at UCLA. He was the director of a private equity firm and has lived in seven countries.

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mick silver

11th March 2016, 08:19 AM

Smelling EU Fear, Turkey Moves in for $6.6bn KillBy Finian Cunningham
March 08, 2016 "Information Clearing House (http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/)" - "RT (https://www.rt.com/op-edge/334894-turkey-eu-summit-media-migrants/)" - When the Ankara government carried out a brutal media crackdown at the weekend and then saw minimal Western protest as a result, President Erdogan knew he had the upper-hand – to leverage the refugee crisis.
It seems more than strange that, only three days before a high-profile summit was to take place between European Union leaders and Turkey on Europe’s refugee crisis, the Ankara authorities carried out an audacious assault on democratic rights. The violent police seizure (http://www.todayszaman.com/national_turkish-police-raid-zaman-hqs-fire-tear-gas-on-readers-after-govt-takeover_414040.html) of Turkey’s biggest opposition newspaper, Zaman, and its immediate cowing into a tame pro-government publication represents the most brazen authoritarian move to date by the ruling AK party of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Turkish opposition politicians denounced (http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/erdogans-top-court-remarks-point-to-coup-dtat-chp-head.aspx?pageID=238&nID=96079&NewsCatID=338) the full-frontal assault on independent media as tantamount to a coup d’état by Erdogan.
But the Western response to the draconian display of state power was more muted than ever. There was hardly any Western media coverage of the Zaman seizure. Both Washington and the EU merely issued (http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/us-criticizes-turkey-for-move-on-zaman-media-group.aspx?pageID=238&nID=96074&NewsCatID=510) perfunctory statements of “concern,” and breathlessly urged Ankara to respect “free speech” and “core European values.”
In recent months, Erdogan has been locking up (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35662829?ocid=global_bbccom_email_26022016_top+new s+stories) journalists and closing critical media outlets. Under his increasingly autocratic rule, the Ankara authorities have prosecuted thousands of citizens who have “insulted” the president through social media.
More gravely, Erdogan has ordered a bloody wave of repression (http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21688857-turkeys-president-must-give-up-trying-crush-kurds-instead-he-should-reopen-peace) against ethnic Kurds in the country’s southeast, with disturbing reports (http://www.dw.com/en/turkish-forces-accused-of-mass-murder-in-southeast/a-19044651) of mass killings by Turkish troops. Turkish military have also been shelling across the border at Kurdish positions in Syria for several weeks now.
It is not as if EU leaders are oblivious to Erdogan’s rogue conduct. An EU report (http://www.wsj.com/articles/eu-warns-turkey-about-threats-to-media-freedom-1446633191)issued in November highlighted the growing repression of human rights. But still Erdogan continued his autocratic power-grab anyway. And the full-scale assault on an opposition news media outlet at the weekend is arguably his most flagrant move yet. The timing suggests it was a gambit to test EU resolve.
In other words, Erdogan knew from the Western silence and empty platitudes that there would be no repercussions for his repressive gambit. And why was that? Because, as Erdogan is all too aware, the EU is on its knees to gain his cooperation on ending the refugee crisis assailing its very foundations. That, in turn, meant that he could send his prime minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, to Brussels to extract whopping concessions.
Significantly, at the last minute before the Brussels summit opened on Monday, Turkey’s premier Davutoglu pulled out (http://www.dw.com/en/turkey-wants-additional-3-billion-euros-to-deal-with-refugee-crisis/a-19100112?maca=en-newsletter_en_Newsline-2356-html-newsletter) “some new ideas.” One of those “new ideas” was that Ankara was no longer requesting $3.3 billion in EU aid, as it had done four months previously. Ankara was now demanding double the money.
Davutoglu (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/08/european-leaders-agree-outlines-of-refugee-deal-with-turkey) hinted at the upper-hand when he arrived in Brussels, saying: “The whole future of Europe is on the table.” And he also let it be known that Turkey was talking more than just refugees, adding (http://www.dw.com/en/turkey-wants-additional-3-billion-euros-to-deal-with-refugee-crisis/a-19100112?maca=en-newsletter_en_Newsline-2356-html-newsletter) that Ankara expected “a new era in Turkey-EU relations.”
The upshot of negotiations in Brussels this week is that Turkey is to receive a 100 percent increase in promised financial aid from the European Union – to $6.6 billion – supposedly for accommodating Syrian refugees on its territory.
Ankara also wrung a promise from Euroland that its 75 million citizens could avail of visa-free travel by as early as June this year; and, perhaps the biggest prize of all, Turkey got a commitment from Brussels to speed up its long-delayed accession to the European Union.
A Financial Times report (http://www.ft.com/home/europe) hinted at the delicate balancing act: “EU leaders tread carefully over Turkey’s media crackdown,” adding: “Leaders careful not to jeopardize deal with Ankara on migration.”
In theory, the EU has been spared the nightmare scenario of thousands of refugees crossing on a daily basis from Turkey into Greece and thence further north. The uncontrolled migration over the past year was threatening the very existence of the 28-nation EU, with member states publicly bickering over closed borders and perceived unfair burdens.
What Ankara appears to be giving in exchange is its cooperation (http://www.rferl.org/content/eu-turkish-leaders-gather-in-brussels-for-migrant-summit/27593151.html) in the systematic return of all refugees presently in Greece – some 30,000 – back to Turkey. At some unspecified future date, the EU is committed to take back Syrian refugees in equal numbers in a seemingly orderly process of asylum application. However, it remains to be seen if such a complex arrangement of refugees being brought back to the EU can work in practice. For one thing, the EU will still have huge problems among its member states refusing to take up quotas of asylum seekers.
Nevertheless, what may be deemed certain is the forcible “shipping back” – as European Council President Donald Tusk put it – of refugees from Greece to Turkey. “The days of irregular migration to Europe are over,”said (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/08/european-leaders-agree-outlines-of-refugee-deal-with-turkey?utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=GU+Today+main+NEW+H&utm_term=160612&subid=5356906&CMP=EMCNEWEML6619I2) Tusk with a tone of relief following the Brussels summit.
In that grim task of hauling back beleaguered families, the NATO military alliance is to take (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35749837) the lead. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed that the alliance was increasing its naval presence in the Aegean Sea to intercept refugee boats.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/jens-tweet.jpg (https://t.co/PpeOgukDwf)The deal thus smacks of an emergency measure where supposed lofty EU principles are being thrown overboard.
EU leaders were increasingly desperate to halt the flow of migrants and this is the outcome. German Chancellor Angela Merkel was under particular pressure to stem the human tide following her erstwhile “open door” policy.
The refugee pathway into Europe has thus been blockaded with this latest EU-Turkish deal, even though there are serious ethical and legal implications over such a drastic measure. Under EU law, all refugees have the right to seek asylum. That is no longer guaranteed, but what is guaranteed is that any refugee boat intercepted in the Aegean will be forced back to Turkey by NATO warships. That is a signal escalation of raw power over humanitarian rights.
The irony of all this is bitter. Only last week, NATO leaders were accusing (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/05/russia-refugee-germany-angela-merkel-migration-vladimir-putin?utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=GU+Today+main+NEW+H&utm_term=160362&subid=5356906&CMP=EMCNEWEML6619I2) Russia of “weaponizing Syrian refugees” for alleged political objectives to do with undermining the European Union. That preposterous contention is not worth dignifying with closer examination.
Much closer to reality though is that NATO member Turkey is the party that has weaponized refugees. Erdogan’s state has played a prominent role in inciting the five-year war in Syria for regime change in Damascus. The war is in danger of dragging on even further given Turkey’s ongoing role in illegally supplying (https://syrianfreepress.wordpress.com/2016/03/05/exclusive-videos/) weapons and insurgents into Syria. That is the background to why nearly three million Syrian refugees have ended up in Turkey and for why Europe has incurred the destabilizing influx of migrants.
As Syrian President Bashar Assad said (http://elpais.com/elpais/2016/02/20/inenglish/1456005883_962894.html) recently, Europe’s refugee crisis would be quickly solved if the covert war on his country was stopped. That is achievable if European powers clamped down on Turkey and Saudi Arabia sending weapons and mercenaries into Syria.
But instead, the EU overlords award the Erdogan regime with $6.6 billion while at the same time brutalizing human rights; and thereby ensuring that the whole problem is postponed for a much bigger eventuality.

Finian Cunningham (born 1963) has written extensively on international affairs, with articles published in several languages. Originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, he is a Master’s graduate in Agricultural Chemistry and worked as a scientific editor for the Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, England, before pursuing a career in newspaper journalism. For over 20 years he worked as an editor and writer in major news media organizations, including The Mirror, Irish Times and Independent. Now a freelance journalist based in East Africa, his columns appear on RT, Sputnik, Strategic Culture Foundation and Press TV.

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What's your response? - Scroll down to add / read comments

Neuro

11th March 2016, 10:03 AM

Very good article above Mick. It perfectly outlines the weakness of Europe and NATO, in dealing with Turkey. The war in Syria and the following refugee crisis is mainly caused by Turkey, and now they reward that, by doubling what was agreed upon only a couple of months ago. I stated then this was exactly what was going to happen and rest assured it will continue, the Turks consider a contract a negotiation point!

mick silver

11th March 2016, 10:37 AM

I am starting to understand what midnight mean by a world war 4 we are seeing it playout

mick silver

11th March 2016, 03:39 PM

Russia calls for Turkey- Syria border closure
Turkey acts as the main supporters of the militant groups operating in Syria.
https://southfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Turkey-Syrian-Refugee_Webf.jpg (https://southfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Turkey-Syrian-Refugee_Webf.jpg)
The Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has called for the closure of the Turkish border with Syria, saying the region is used to smuggle weapons into the Arab country to supply terror groups operating in Syria.
On Tuesday, Sergei Lavrov told the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva that some of the smuggled arms are hidden in humanitarian aid cargo.

“A very special task is to cut the terrorists’ supply from the outside. For this purpose it is important to close the Syrian-Turkish border, since across this border those gangs receive arms, including with humanitarian convoys,” Lavrov said.
Lavrov also said that the defeat of ISIS terrorists, the al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front and those of their kind as “a necessary precondition for securing the rights of long-suffering peoples of Syria” and the rest of the region.
It has been reported that Turkey acts as the main supporters of the militant groups operating in Syria and Ankara actively trains and arms terrorists there and gives them safe passages to enter into Syria.
Russia has released pictures and videos of Turkish oil tankers from Daesh-controlled areas in Syria toward Turkey.
Russia’s Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov also announced on February 16 that terrorists active in Syria’s volatile northwestern region receive arms from Turkey.

mick silver

11th March 2016, 03:42 PM

Javelin anti-tank missiles in Syria?
https://southfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/2016-03-10.jpgExclusively for SouthFront by J.Hawk
There has been a spate of reports circulating in the media suggesting that advanced US Javelin ATGMs have found their way to Kurdish rebels fighting in Syria. Are these reports based on fact?
Most likely not. So far the only “tangible” evidence of Javelins in Syria is the photo above, plus a blurry video showing a white pick-up truck being attacked by a missile with a Javelin-like “diving” flight trajectory. Neither of these two pieces of evidence is wholly convincing. The video may have been doctored, or it may be a fragment of a film showing US Javelin use during the war in Iraq, where many of these missiles were used, including against “soft” unarmored targets. As to the photo above, there is nothing visible in that image that would confirm the existence of an actual Javelin firing unit or missile, only styrofoam and, apparently, glass fiber, with the contraption mounted on what appears to be a camera tripod.
There is also circumstantial evidence against Javelins in Syria. The US is highly unlikely to provide such an advanced weapon to a non-state actor with unpredictable loyalties. Given that Syrian Kurds do have ties to the PKK just across the border, it would be only a matter of time before the Javelins were used against Turkish armored vehicles in either Turkey or Iraq. When the US does provide somewhat modern weapons, for example the TOW-2A, it does so to groups which are fundamentally aligned with Turkey, not against it. Finally, if the US were providing such weapons (plural) to the Kurds, we should be seeing more photos and videos of them which would dispel all doubts. None have been published since these initial “leaks”, which further suggests that the Kurds do not have such weapons at their disposal. They may well be used by US special operations troops who are assisting the Kurds, but even then in relatively small numbers and solely by US personnel who no doubt are under strict instructions not to provide top US weapons to the Kurdish insurgents.
Therefore why the fake? There are two possible explanations. One is that it is simply battlefield deception. The Kurds naturally want to intimidate their current or prospective adversaries (ISIS and, of course, Turkey) by leading them to believe that the US is well and truly arming them with high-tech weapons. Secondly, it might be a psychological weapon aimed at Turkey, to provoke its leadership to do something rash against the US, which in turn would compel the US to finally stop trying to reconcile the irreconcilable Turkish and Kurdish interests and come down firmly on the side of the Kurds.
Ultimately, let’s not forget: this is a war. Where the first casualty is always the truth.

mick silver

11th March 2016, 03:57 PM

The Pentagon Admits: The “War on Terror” Will Never EndMichael Krieger (http://libertyblitzkrieg.com/author/mkriegs/) | Posted Tuesday May 21, 2013 at 2:33 pm 10 Comments (http://libertyblitzkrieg.com/2013/05/21/the-pentagon-admits-the-war-on-terror-will-never-end/#comments)
It is hard to resist the conclusion that this war has no purpose other than its own eternal perpetuation. This war is not a means to any end but rather is the end in itself. Not only is it the end itself, but it is also its own fuel: it is precisely this endless war – justified in the name of stopping the threat of terrorism – that is the single greatest cause of that threat.
– Glenn Greenwald from his recent article:Washington Gets Explicit: Its “War on Terror” is Permanent (http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/may/17/endless-war-on-terror-obama)
So last Thursday at a hearing held by the Senate Armed Services Committee, we found out what many of us already knew. That the “war on terror” is never going to end. Indeed, it was never supposed to end. This never-ending “war” on a fantastical enemy provides the American oligarch class with too much money and too much power to ever make it worthwhile for the establishment to shut down. It matters not to them that this civil liberties destroying fraud has been going on for my entire post-college life and, if they have their way, for the remainder of it. It matters not to them that the “war on terror” itself has done more to destroy the Constitution and vital essence of this nation than any terrorist act ever could. No, it matters very little indeed. What matters to them is money and power, and the “war on terror” provides them with boatloads of both.
My favorite excerpts from Glenn’s article are below:
On Thursday, the Senate Armed Services Committee held a hearing on whether the statutory basis for this “war” – the 2001 Authorization to Use Military Force (AUMF) – should be revised (meaning: expanded). This is how (http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2013/05/decades-of-war/) Wired’s Spencer Ackerman (soon to be the Guardian US’s national security editor) described the most significant exchange:

“Asked at a Senate hearing today how long the war on terrorism will last, Michael Sheehan, the assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict, answered, ‘At least 10 to 20 years.’ . . . A spokeswoman, Army Col. Anne Edgecomb, clarified that Sheehan meant the conflict is likely to last 10 to 20 more years from today – atop the 12 years that the conflict has already lasted. Welcome to America’s Thirty Years War.”
That the Obama administration is now repeatedly declaring that the “war on terror” will last at least another decade (or two) is vastly more significant than all three of this week’s big media controversies (Benghazi, IRS, and AP/DOJ) combined. The military historian Andrew Bacevich has spent years warning (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/05/books/review/Bass-t.html) that US policy planners have adopted an explicit doctrine of “endless war”. Obama officials, despite repeatedly boasting (http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/04/al-qaeda-shadow-of-former-self/) that they have delivered permanently crippling blows to al-Qaida (http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2013/03/spy-terrorism/), are now, as clearly as the English language permits, openly declaring this to be so.
It is hard to resist the conclusion that this war has no purpose other than its own eternal perpetuation. This war is not a means to any end but rather is the end in itself. Not only is it the end itself, but it is also its own fuel: it is precisely this endless war – justified in the name of stopping the threat of terrorism – that is the single greatest cause of that threat.
In response, I wrote that (http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/04/war-on-terror-endless-johnson) the “war on terror” cannot and will not end on its own for two reasons: (1) it is designed by its very terms to be permanent, incapable of ending, since the war itself ironically ensures that there will never come a time when people stop wanting to bring violence back to the US (the operational definition of “terrorism”), and (2) the nation’s most powerful political and economic factions reap a bonanza of benefits from its continuation. Whatever else is true, it is now beyond doubt that ending this war is the last thing on the mind of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize winner and those who work at the highest levels of his administration. Is there any way they can make that clearer beyond declaring that it will continue for “at least” another 10-20 years?
And then there’s the most intangible yet most significant cost: each year of endless war that passes further normalizes the endless rights erosions justified in its name. The second term of the Bush administration and first five years of the Obama presidency have been devoted to codifying and institutionalizing the vast and unchecked powers that are typically vested in leaders in the name of war. Those powers of secrecy, indefinite detention, mass surveillance, and due-process-free assassination are not going anywhere. They are now permanent fixtures not only in the US political system but, worse, in American political culture.
Each year that passes, millions of young Americans come of age having spent their entire lives, literally, with these powers and this climate fixed in place: to them, there is nothing radical or aberrational about any of it. The post-9/11 era is all they have been trained to know. That is how a state of permanent war not only devastates its foreign targets but also degrades the population of the nation that prosecutes it.
This war will end only once Americans realize the vast and multi-faceted costs they are bearing so that the nation’s political elites can be empowered and its oligarchs can further prosper. But Washington clearly has no fear that such realizations are imminent. They are moving in the other direction: aggressively planning how to further entrench and expand this war.
Newly elected independent Sen. Angus King of Maine said after listening to how the Obama administration interprets its war powers under the AUMF (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/16/war-powers-obama-administration_n_3288420.html):

This is the most astounding and most astoundingly disturbing hearing that I’ve been to since I’ve been here. You guys have essentially rewritten the Constitution today.”
Former Bush DOJ official Jack Goldsmith, who testified at the hearing,summarized what was said after it was over (http://www.lawfareblog.com/2013/05/quick-reactions-to-extraordinary-armed-services-committee-hearing-on-the-aumf/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter): Obama officials argued that “they had domestic authority to use force in Mali, Syria, Libya, and Congo, against Islamist terrorist threats there”; that “they were actively considering emerging threats and stated that it was possible they would need to return to Congress for new authorities against those threats but did not at present need new authorities”; that “the conflict authorized by the AUMF was not nearly over”; and that “several members of the Committee were surprised by the breadth of DOD’s interpretation of the AUMF.” Conveying the dark irony of America’s war machine, seemingly lifted right out of the Cold War era film Dr. Strangelove (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji6xXqTuJow), Goldsmith added:

Amazingly, there is a very large question even in the Armed Services Committee about who the United States is at war against and where, and how those determinations are made.”
Nobody really even knows with whom the US is at war, or where. Everyone just knows that it is vital that it continue in unlimited form indefinitely.
1984 really was an instruction manual for the people in power. Terrifying.
In Liberty,
Mike
Follow me on Twitter! (https://twitter.com/LibertyBlitz)

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mick silver

11th March 2016, 04:24 PM

http://libertyblitzkrieg.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Screen-Shot-2016-03-10-at-9.01.05-AM.jpg

mick silver

11th March 2016, 04:38 PM

Key powers discuss possibility of Syria federal division: DiplomatsBy Jim W. Dean, Managing Editor (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/dean/) on March 11, 2016
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/cats-crop1.jpgISIL oil tankers “cook off” after Russian air strike

… from Press TV (http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/03/11/455073/Syria-UN-Security-Council-Mistura/), Tehranhttp://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/1-moderate-rebels-syria-320x180.jpgUS moderate rebels give interview, but make a mistake

[ Editor’s Note: Well the cat is getting let out of the bag here. And note Assad’s statement below, which drives a wooden stake through the heart of the Western and Gulf terror war, “From our side, when the Syrian people are ready to move in a certain direction, we will naturally agree to this.”Notice how he never waivers from the Syrians having the final say, keeping the door shut on the outside powers thinking they are going to cut a deal on what Syria is going to look like and then putting on a show where this is a fixed outcome of the negotiations.Assad has also been open to discussing autonomy as an obvious part of the talks, but wants a firewall on any terrorist factions being involved in any way as the Syrian people and Army have not suffered what they have to make deals with the terrorists or their supporters.This is a warm up card being played in a timely fashion before the next round of Geneva talks on the March 14th. It is also twisting the knife on Erdogan that Kurkish autonomy in the northern regions would be on the table, and something Turkey will have no legitimate say in.It actually looks like the door is being left open for Turkey military action so as to continue the political isolation of Erdogan , and put the US and NATO on the spot for not being able to restrain Turkey from openly violating the ceasefire… Jim W. Dean (http://www.veteranstoday.com/staff-writers/) ]
____________http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/isis_oil_1024x575-640x359.jpg– First published … March 11, 2016 –http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/SYRIA-partition-300x225.jpgAn early partition map for Syria

Major powers have discussed a federal division of Syria as a possible option to end five years of foreign-backed militancy in the Arab state, UN diplomats say.
A Security Council diplomat, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said some Western powers and Russia are looking into the issue of Syria’s federal division, which would keep the country’s unity as one state but give autonomy to regional authorities.
The source further said the idea had been passed on to UN special envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura.
“While insisting on retaining the territorial integrity of Syria, so continuing to keep it as a single country, of course there are all sorts of different models of a federal structure that would, in some models, have a very, very loose center and a lot of autonomy for different regions,” the diplomat added.
The remarks were confirmed by another UN Security Council diplomat.
This comes as talks between Syrian government delegates and the so-called opposition group, known as the High Negotiations Committee (HNC), are set to resume in Geneva, Switzerland, on March 14.
The UN-brokered peace negotiations collapsed early in February after the Saudi-backed opposition left the talks amid the Syrian army’s Russian-backed gains against militants on several fronts.
Both sides have not yet confirmed their participation in the fresh round of talks. Meanwhile, an agreement on the cessation of hostilities, brokered by Russia and the US, has taken effect in Syria since February 27.
On Thursday, de Mistura said in an interview with Al Jazeera that “all Syrians have rejected division (of Syria) and federalism can be discussed at the negotiations.”
On February 29, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkovsuggested that a federal state may be a suitable government model to preserve Syria’s unity and sovereignty.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has also said in an interview last September that any change must be approved by the Arab nation, adding, “From our side, when the Syrian people are ready to move in a certain direction, we will naturally agree to this.”
Riad Hijab, head of the Saudi-backed HNC, said earlier this week that the opposition will not accept federalism, adding, “We have agreed we will expand non-central government in a future Syria, but not any kind of federalism or division.”
The crisis in Syria, which flared in March 2011, has so far claimed the lives of over 470,000, according to some reports.

___________
Related Posts:

NEO – Ceasefire Roulette in Syria – Who Will Win? (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/28/neo-ceasefire-roulette-in-syria-who-will-win/)
Erdogan to Asssad – Leave and Live (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2011/11/22/erdogan-to-asssad-leave-and-live/)
Cliff Kincaid Is a New World Order Agent, Lies About Vladimir Putin, and Fabricates Stories About Turkey (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/03/02/cliff-kincaid-is-a-new-world-order-agent-lies-about-vladimir-putin-and-fabricates-stories-about-turkey/)
Assad: Conflict settlement in Syria depends not only on ceasefire (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/27/assad-settlement-syria/)

mick silver

12th March 2016, 06:02 AM

Turkey Pays Kurds $200m But For What?By GPD (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/admin/) on March 11, 2016
They say for a pipeline outage but we know different...
The story below is a childish fiction. Turkey gives nothing, certainly not to real Kurds who they are wiping out in military action inside Turkey, Iraq and Syria and who they someday hope to attack inside Iran as well.
The real story is the 12,000 tanker trucks that have been delivering oil to Turkey from Iraq, from both Kurdish held regions that contain oil that belongs to the Baghdad government and ISIS held regions that contain oil that belongs to the Baghdad government.
Kurdistan isn’t a country, it is a region of Iraq. It owns no oil, but for years the Kurds in Erbil have been selling other peoples oil and then failing to deliver.
Now that they are partnering with ISIS, they are finally delivering oil and getting paid by Turkey and ISIS. Half of the money below is their commission from ISIS.
Turkey provides Kurdistan Region with $200 million emergency fundThe Kurdistan Region has received $200 million from Turkey as an emergency fund to help it deal with the shortfall in its budget brought on by damage to its pipeline from Kirkuk to Ceyhan.

“An emergency aid transfer has been sent to the KRG [Kurdistan Regional Government] this week. The pipeline was pumping 600,000 per day and the halt has deprived the KRG of an important source of revenue,” a source in the industry told Reuters on Friday.
Turkey blamed the bombing of the pipeline on the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and said on Thursday that its recent military operation against the group in the town of Idil in Sirnak province has enabled it to secure the pipeline. They consequently believe that it will take at least another week to repair it.
Erbil currently depends heavily on oil revenues to fund its enormous public sector work force. However the bombing of the pipeline in southeastern Turkey’s Kurdish-majority region, which is again mired in violence, saw the export of oil come to a standstill.

Indeed this outage has left the KRG with a mere $233 million for the month of February. This is less than one-third what is needed to cover its public sector expenses.
This adds to the woes of the region which has had to deal with the worldwide fall in the price of oil, the war against Islamic State and the influx of internal refugees seeking sanctuary and shelter.

mick silver

12th March 2016, 09:51 AM

Syrian FM red line – Only Syrians will decide Syria’s futureBy Jim W. Dean, Managing Editor (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/dean/) on March 12, 2016
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/3cbbf3ae-b659-4732-a1f4-64a7e54015e0.jpgSyria will waste no more time being treated like a vassal, defeated state

… from Press TV (http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/03/12/455310/Syria-Assad-Muallem--de-Mistura-Syria-talks/), Tehranhttp://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/d6992637-0aca-4427-adbe-514c2ed3b412-320x180.jpgNone of these people will ever agree to stop being terrorists. They will only change their location.

[ Editor’s Note: The Syrians have made a good move here. There is really no point in having the Saudis there or any of the foreign backed terrorist groups. While their state sponsors may have some immunity for aiding and abetting terrorism, their minions do not.To allow them into the talks is going to set them up for amnesty when they are over. So if they want to get excluded from the talks due to their insistent demands then that is not a bad price for them to enjoy walking away with, as marked men for the rest of their lives. Syria has permission to rendition these people and strike them anywhere they are under the Bush doctrine. So does Russia or anyone else.The terrorist opposition folks are only holding the cards they came in with now, inflicting more terror and the support they have to do so from their sponsors. It is just a matter of time before they are eliminated from holding territory so why give them anything at this point? Syrian FM Walid Mualem has already put out the call for the armed opposition groups within the ceasefire to join in the final battle to wipe the foreign jihadis out.As Putin said when the Russians came in…it was better to spend the money now in Syria to kill them on the battlefield versus waiting until later when they are conducting urban warfare and terror in their home or other countries.The US with its drone strike policy has actively engaged in this strategy. I would love to see the drone program put under the UN where we have a more representative group calling the shots on who gets whacked. I would even like to see a Dancing with the Stars type UN TV show where the world public get’s to vote for which terrorists supporter government leader gets whacked for the week.As long as state sponsors of terror enjoy immunity we will always have it. And if the public cannot even bother to get that discussion on the table then it effectively has surrendered to just nibbling around the edges on the terror threat, allowing it to go on forever where governments find it useful… Jim W. Dean (http://www.veteranstoday.com/staff-writers/) ]
___________http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/1409235115819_wps_6_Isis_marches_soldiers_to_.jpgC aptured Syrian soldiers being marched to their mass execution site by Saudi backed ISIL terrorists

– First published … March 12, 2016 –The Syrian foreign minister says it is only for Syrians to decide on the country’s future elections, calling the departure of President Bashar al-Assad a “red line” for Damascus ahead of the next round of UN-brokered peace talks on Syria.
Walid al-Muallem made the remarks during a Saturday press conference in the capital after the UN special envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said the new talks due on March 14 in Geneva would discuss the formation of a new government, a fresh constitution, as well as UN-monitored presidential and parliamentary elections within 18 months.

The Syrian top diplomat, however, said no one “has the right to discuss presidential elections. This right is exclusively for the Syrian people.”
Damascus wants the negotiations to result in the establishment of a “unity government” followed by appointment of a committee to either write a new charter or make changes to the current one.
Muallem further rejected the possibility of discussing the fate of President Assad with any party.
“We will not talk to anyone who talks about the position of the presidency. Bashar is a red line, the property of the Syrian people,” Muallem said, advising those who nurture this idea not come to the talks.
The foreign-sponsored opposition group has repeatedly called for Assad to leave the power.
Opposition only has 24 hours
The Syrian foreign minister also stressed that the Damascus panel would leave the talks after 24 hours if the delegation of the Saudi-backed opposition coalition does not arrive by then.
“Our delegation will leave for Geneva tomorrow… We will wait 24 hours and if no one is there, then we will return,” Muallem said.
The last round of UN-sponsored peace negotiations fell apart early in February after the so-called opposition, known as the High Negotiations Committee (HNC), left the talks amid the Syrian army’s Russian-backed gains against militants on several fronts.
The HNC entered Switzerland more than a day after the government, and waited for another two days to go to the UN headquarters.

____________

mick silver

12th March 2016, 09:55 AM

CIA’s Secret War on Russia: Al Jazeera, The ISIS Mouthpiece
By Gordon Duff, Senior Editor (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/gordonduff/) on November 23, 2015 http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/lido_006.jpg

…by Gordon Duff (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/gordonduff/), VT Senior Editor
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Buk-missile-vapor-trail-analysis_012-320x181.jpg (http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Buk-missile-vapor-trail-analysis_012.jpg)The Dutch have shamed themselves with their coverup of MH17

When Malaysian Air Flight 17 was shot down by Kiev, purposefully routed into restricted airspace by Ukrainian air controllers, shadowed by fighter aircraft and downed not quite close enough to NovoRussian lines, the propaganda war hit full bore.
Russian news organizations were both unprepared and possibly controlled and infiltrated as well. The CIA/Booz Allen Hamilton run Moscow Times, working with “sockpuppet activists” employed by Radio Liberty and Radio Free Europe, long propaganda organs of the CIA, continually “confessed” to the world of Russia’s complicity.
Lest we forget Abby Martin of Russia Today and her dramatic and totally staged attack on Russia that ended her RT career. Her statements about Russian involvement in Ukraine, the lines of tanks, the invading armies, now consigned to the trash heap of history as Kiev has descended into a brutal police state justifying its existence with continual imaginary invasion threats.
Iran has been similarly victimized, particularly by Christiane “Rubin” Amanpour, whose interview of Iranian President Rohani, as published by her, filled with mistranslations and fabricated statements, set a new low in international journalism.
Yet the hoaxes and fabrications go on day after day, now standard fare for the mainstream media, that relies on blending official statements from named public officials with “mission creep” wild assertions credited to imaginary sources that are obviously editorial “spin” with a strong political agenda.
When a Russian passenger plane was brought down over Sinai, it was al Jazeera that first reported, not conspiracy theory or something to bring in a wide audience, but rather a highly detailed story of conversations between the pilot and air traffic controllers that later turned out to be total fabrications.
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Kaiser_5441-640x527.jpg (http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Kaiser_5441.jpg)VT analysis of Sinai video team position and routes

An investigation by Veterans Today revealed that video teams brought into Sinai from Jordan that were placed exactly under the “external impact” that destroyed the airliner with 244 aboard, were allowed to quietly leave Egypt.
You see, with the planted al Jazeera story in place, Egypt made no attempts to close her borders while those complicit, the video team or those who may have been involved in sabotaging the plane, if that is the case, those responsible were given a “free pass.”
As intelligence specialists will confirm, there is no state sponsored false flag operations ever planned without a “cover and deception plan” that involves using press assets. There is no possibility whatsoever that al Jazeera was not directly involved in the downing of the Russian plane, none whatsoever.
To aid in confirmation of this, we have the November 23, 2015 article below from al Jazeera. Here again they turn to CIA “sockpuppet” sources using “branded” accusations long tied to “black propaganda” operations against Syria.
Al Jazeera and Reuters have long been the cheerleaders for ISIS, basking in the Qatari and Saudi cash, working closely with ISIS media teams and coordinating their operations with SITE Intelligence and Rita Katz, the Mossadist front that provided much of the false intelligence Tony Blair recently referred to in his “non apology-apology” over starting a phony war that killed hundreds of thousands.

Russian air strikes ‘killed over 400 Syrian civilians’
At least 97 children among casualties of military operations which began in late September, two monitoring groups say.

http://bc05.ajnm.me/665003303001/201511/3860/665003303001_4626443104001_vs-5651616be4b0236fabcc14aa-782203290001.jpg?pubId=665003303001

Russian air strikes in Syria have killed over 400 civilians since September this year, monitoring groups say.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said the death toll from September 30 – when the strikes were launched – until November 20 stood at 403 civilians, a figure that includes 97 children.
Meanwhile, the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR), another monitoring group, said at least 526 were killed, including 137 children, since Russia launched its first air strikes.
Over 400 civilians killed since September this year, including 97 children.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights puts the figure at at least 526, including 137 children.

Since last October, at least 42,234 air strikes have been documented.

Over 22,370 ‘barrel bombs’ have also been dropped in that period resulting in the death of 6,889 civilians, including 1,436 children, and injuring another 35,000 civilians.

At least 100,000 people have fled from Aleppo, while another 1,000 fled an Atma displaced camp in Idlib’s suburbs.

The Syrian conflict has killed at least 250,000 people, according to the UN.

Sources: Syrian Observatory for Human Rights & Syrian Network for Human Rights

____________
Russia’s air force flew 141 sorties and hit 472 targets in Syria over the weekend, the RIA news agency quoted the country’s defence ministry as saying on Monday.
Russian jets hit targets in Aleppo, Damascus, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Raqqa, Homs, and Deir Az Zor provinces, the ministry said.
On Sunday, Syrian government air strikes killed at least seven people, including three children, in Douma just outside of the capital Damascus, SOHR said.
It said at least seven civilians were killed on Saturday in government air strikes in Aleppo.
On Friday, Russia fired cruise missiles from the Caspian Sea for a fourth day against what it described as ISIL targets.
Russian and Syrian officials said their jets hit 50 ISIL targets in Deir Az Zor province, the most intense air raids since Russia began its air strikes.
Since last October, at least 42,234 air strikes that targeted farms, villages, towns and cities have been documented, according to SOHR.
It said over 22,370 so-called barrel bombs were dropped across the country in that period resulting in a total of 6,889 civilians deaths, including 1,436 children.
Another 35,000 civilians have been injured.
At least 100,000 people fled from Aleppo due to Russian air strikes, SNHR said, while another 1,000 fled a camp for the displaced in Atma, in Idlib city’s suburbs.
Russia says the goal of its military operation in Syria is in response to a request by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and on the basis of a decision granted by its parliament.
Growing up in Aleppo: ‘We are scared of the bombs’ (http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2015/11/growing-aleppo-scared-bombs-151119130031584.html)
The Syrian conflict has killed at least 250,000 people, according to the UN, and more than half of Syria’s prewar population of 22.4 million has been internally displaced or have fled abroad.
Assad said what is happening in Syria was not a civil war but a war, he told Phoenix, a Chinese television channel.
You can say this is a civil war when you have a certain line that divides between different components of a certain society, whether sectarian or ethnic or maybe political line, something that we don’t have in Syria,” he said on Sunday.
“Civil war has internal factors, not states supporting terrorists who come to Syria while they announce publicly that their aim is to change the state or, like what they call it, the regime.”
Assad also said that following the Russian intervention, the situation in Syria had improved in a “very good way”.

Source: Al Jazeera ...........a trip back in time ... lets see how this plays out ........................

mick silver

12th March 2016, 10:00 AM

Turkish Airlines, Implicated in Arms Trafficking to Nigeria, Asks for Security Checks in EgyptShare This Egypt (http://nsnbc.me/tag/egypt/)Egypt - Turkey Relations (http://nsnbc.me/tag/egypt-turkey-relations/)Nigeria (http://nsnbc.me/tag/nigeria/)Nigeria - Turkey Relations (http://nsnbc.me/tag/nigeria-turkey-relations/)Sharm al-Sheikh (http://nsnbc.me/tag/sharm-al-sheikh/)Turkey (http://nsnbc.me/tag/turkey/)

nsnbc : Turkish Airlines noted that it would have to deploy a security team to inspect Sharm Al-Sheikh Airport in Egypt before resuming flights to the holiday resort in April. Ironically, a Turkish Airline official was caught red-handed in a clandestinely recorded phone call, that revealed the Airline’s and Turkish intelligence circles involvement in arms trafficking to the Boko Haram plagued Nigeria. http://nsnbc.me/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Turkey_MIT_THY_NIGERIA_SMUGGLING_WEAPONS_AD-300x168.jpg (http://nsnbc.me/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Turkey_MIT_THY_NIGERIA_SMUGGLING_WEAPONS_AD.jpg)Tu rkish Airlines plans to resume flights to the Egyptian Red Sea resort Sharm Al-Sheikh in April but requests that a security team first would have to inspect security at Sharm Al-Sheikh Airport. Turkish Airlines was one of the many airlines that stopped operations to and from Sharm Al-Sheikh after the fatal crash of the Russian Kogalmavia Airlines (Metrojet) Airbus 321 on Flight KGL9268 in Egypt’s Sinai peninsula on October 31.Russian investigators, the Russian Defense Ministry and other Russian authorities claimed that the airliner was downed by a bomb on board. The crash resulted in the death of all 224 passengers and crew on board the plane. Egyptian authorities have been reluctant to confirm whether the airliner was downed by a bomb. However, Egyptian President Abdel Fatah Al-Sisi, last month, stated that it was likely that the final result of the investigation would reach the same conclusion.Many of the countries and carriers that suspended flights to Sharm Al-Sheik or Egypt have since resumed operations after Egypt significantly upgraded security at its airports. The tragedy has led to a dramatic drop in the occupancy rate of hotels in Sharm Al-Sheikh and a significant loss of revenue Egypt’s tourism industry in general.But The Irony – Turkish Airlines Official and Erdogan Adviser Implicated in Arms Trafficking to NigeriaIronically, Turkey has since 2011 become one of the region’s main sponsors of terrorist organizations including the Syrian Al-Qaeda franchise Jabhat Al-Nusrah, the Libyan Al-Qaeda franchise the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, as well as Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood linked militants. Not to mention that Syrian oil , stolen by the self-proclaimed Islamic State, is being smuggled via Turkey.In 2014 a clandestinely recorded phone conversation revealed that a Turkish Airlines official and an adviser to the then Prime Minister, now President R. Tayyip Erdogan were implicated in using the flag carrier to transport weapons to insurgents in Nigeria. The recording was of a conversation (allegedly) between Mustafa Varank, the chief advisor to Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan, and Turkish Airlines (THY) Executive Assistant Mehmet Karakaş. nsnbc has had the recording analyzed by a professional audio and voice recognition expert who noted that the recording appears to be genuine.

Karakaş was asking bluntly whether the weapons are “going to kill Muslims or Christians…,” and references were made to Turkish intelligence service MİT Chief Hakan Bey. (See video above). The leaked recording prompts the question whether or not Egyptian authorities should enforce special security checks of Turkish Airlines flights, passengers and cargo.CH/L – nsnbc 11.03.2016Related background article:How Colonialism Benefits from Boko Haram’s Mass Kidnapping of Girls (http://nsnbc.me/2014/05/12/how-colonialism-benefits-from-boko-harams-mass-kidnapping-of-girls/)Share:

mick silver

12th March 2016, 10:03 AM

you work in turkey who is turkey working for ? are you hearing people there talking bout what taking place with turkey ...

/

Very good article above Mick. It perfectly outlines the weakness of Europe and NATO, in dealing with Turkey. The war in Syria and the following refugee crisis is mainly caused by Turkey, and now they reward that, by doubling what was agreed upon only a couple of months ago. I stated then this was exactly what was going to happen and rest assured it will continue, the Turks consider a contract a negotiation point!

Neuro

12th March 2016, 11:20 AM

you work in turkey who is turkey working for ? are you hearing people there talking bout what taking place with turkey ...

/
There are two main explanations for what Turkey is doing, either Erdogan has gone insane beyond repair and/or he is acting on orders from US. Initially in the Syrian conflict I believe Turkey did act in concert with US and its allies, now I think the insane scenario is more likely. If he is just acting it. I would say that he does a damn good job...

mick silver

13th March 2016, 09:05 AM

Syria’s Downed MiG-21: How Russian Aircraft Will Defend ThemselvesBy GPD (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/admin/) on March 13, 2016
http://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/images/102808/18/1028081878.jpg

A Syrian Air Force MiG-21US went down near an airfield in Hama province on Saturday. Conflicting reports have emerged over whether the aircraft crashed due to a technical failure, or was downed by jihadist militants; Russian analysts are questioning whether the terrorists now possess anti-aircraft missiles, and whether Russian planes are safe.
http://cdn5.img.sputniknews.com/images/103619/02/1036190246.jpg
© SPUTNIK/ DMITRIY VINOGRADOV
Syrian Air Force MiG-21 Jet Downed, One Pilot Killed, Second Survives – Source (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160312/1036189815/syrian-mig-downed-pilot-shot-dead.html)

That same day, a military source told Sputnik (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160312/1036189815/syrian-mig-downed-pilot-shot-dead.html) that a Syrian Air Force MiG-21US was downed by armed militants near a military airfield in western Hama province (220 km from Damascus), with one pilot able to eject and a second killed while attempting to perform an emergency landing.”After the Syrian Air Force plane was hit, one pilot ejected and landed at the al-Migir village, which is controlled by the Army. The second pilot attempted an emergency landing at the Hama airfield. The landing failed and the pilot died,” a second Syrian military source later confirmed.
However, another source speaking to the Al Masdar News outlet presented another scenario (https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-proactively-attacks-nusra-loses-jetfighter/): that the plane crashed due to a technical failure upon return from pounding jihadist positions, and that the pilot who managed to eject was shot dead by militants while parachuting to the ground.
Posting unconfirmed footage of what is said to be the downed plane, Al Masdar noted that “a closer look at the footage shows no sign whatsoever that the warplane was hit by anti-aircraft weapons.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, meanwhile, claimed (http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=45019) that militants had fired at the jet with two heat-seeking missiles, with one missile exploding in the sky and the other hitting the plane, striking it down immediately after hitting it.
Commenting on the conflicting reports, Russian journalist and military analyst Vladimir Tuchkov instantly evoked Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir’s recent interview (http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160221/1035141288/saudi-sams-syria-analysis.html)with Germany’s Spiegel Magazine, where the minister announced that Riyadh was ready to send portable surface-to-air missile systems to Syria to help ‘moderate rebels’, pending Washington’s approval.
http://cdn4.img.sputniknews.com/images/103513/61/1035136125.jpg
© WIKIPEDIA/
How Will Russia Respond to Saudi Anti-Aircraft Missiles in Syria? (http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160221/1035141288/saudi-sams-syria-analysis.html)

Al-Jubeir, Tuchkov recalled, in ananalysis (http://svpressa.ru/war21/article/144248/) for the Svobodnaya Pressa newspaper, “had drawn a parallel: that the surface to air missiles ‘would change the balance of power in the same way they did in Afghanistan.'””The Saudi minister, obviously, was talking about the supply of Stingers to the Afghan mujahedeen. At that time Soviet aviation suffered serious losses to the US MANPADS [Man-portable air-defense systems].”
And if it is confirmed that the Syrian plane was shot down by a surface-to-air missile, the questions that arise are: what type of missile was it, and could it pose a threat to the Russian planes operating in Syria? Commenting on the Saudi foreign minister’s announcement last month, Nic R. Jenzen-Jones, the director of the technical intelligence consultancy Armament Research Services, told (http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160221/1035141288/saudi-sams-syria-analysis.html)International Business Times UK that the systems Riyadh would provide would “likely…be legacy missile systems.”
These, Jenzen-Jones noted, could “pose a notable threat [only] to Syrian government aircraft, particularly rotary-wing aircraft,” (i.e. helicopters). “From a technical perspective, the types of MANPADS or other SAMs (surface-to-air-missiles Saudi Arabia would be likely to supply…are probably going to be of limited effectiveness against some of the modern Russian combat aircraft operating within Syria.”
Tuchkov, for his part, explained that even if the militants were equipped with the latest SAMs US manufacturers have to offer, Russian planes and helicopters, in any case, have the countermeasures systems capable of neutralizing them.
http://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/images/103548/46/1035484647.jpg
© SPUTNIK/ ILIYA PITALEV
Air Force Multiplier: Courageous Warplane Pilots Helped Syria Survive (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160228/1035489469/syria-air-force-war.html)

“Russian Mi-24 helicopters in Syria have been equipped with the latest airborne defense system, the President-S (http://kret.com/en/product/10174/), which entered production last year, developed by the Samara-based Ekran Scientific Research Institute,” the military observer noted.”The Stingers supplied to the Mujahideen by the Americans were truly an effective weapon against the Soviet Air Force during the Soviet-Afghan War. The decoy flares shot by aircraft after detecting incoming ground-air missiles turned out not to be the most effective protection. The flares were capable of deceiving missiles of previous generations, which operated in the infrared (IR) spectrum. The Stinger featured another channel – ultraviolet (UV),” making the missile more capable of distinguishing targets from countermeasures.
“This American invention,” Tuchkov noted, “along with our [9K38] Igla, which has since been pirated by several countries, has allowed for successful attacks against low-flying targets, including helicopters, jets and bombers descending to carry out airstrikes.”
“Aircraft equipped with the President-S,” meanwhile, are “invulnerable to contemporary MANPADS; even if we are speaking about a helicopter hovering in the air in the immediate vicinity of the shooter, the missile targeting it will miss. The complex is capable of countering not only IR/UV-guided missiles, but radar-guided ones as well.”
http://cdn4.img.sputniknews.com/images/102995/97/1029959775.jpg
© SPUTNIK/ DMITRIY VINOGRADOV
True Heroes: Syrian Pilots Compete With Each Other for Missions (http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20151112/1029959165/syria-pilots-mig21-isis-hama-airbase.html)

Russian aircraft-based anti-missile systems have come a long way from the thermal decoy-based systems of the early 1980s used in Afghanistan. These include the L116V1A ‘Lipa’ optoelectronic IR jammer, fixed to the upper part of the fuselage, “consisting of a powerful Xenon lamp operating in the infrared spectrum,” creating hot air vortices, and thus helping to prevent the rocket from accurately determining its target. The use of such systems in Afghanistan, Tuchkov recalled, reduced the losses of Mi-8s and Mi-24s operating in Afghanistan significantly, up to 90%.”However, the Americans found a way to increase the sensitivity and selectivity of their IR receivers, shifting the operating frequency from 1-3 to 3-5 microns, which allowed them to lock on not to the decoy, but to the engines’ exhaust. Moreover, heat-seeking missiles were equipped with liquid nitrogen cooling, which weakened their own thermal noise in flight.”
Aimed at countering US advancements in MANPADS technology, the Ekran Scientific Research Institute developed the President-S, which amounts to a multilayered, customizable countermeasures system allowing for the placing of multiple stations (units) in various combinations inside the fuselage and mounted externally onto planes and helicopters.
Along with a control device placed on the on-board computer, these include a radar warning receiver station, a laser warning system, a missile attack warning station, a decoy dispenser (featuring chaff cartridges, IR-based cartridges, single-use cartridges with transmitters), noncoherent active radio-interference station, optical-electronic suppression station, and laser optical-electronic suppression station.
http://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/images/103620/85/1036208518.jpg
© PHOTO: KRET.COM (http://kret.com/en/news/4054/)
Component of the President-S airborne defense system.

“What makes the system truly invulnerable,” Tuchkov explained, “is the laser-based optical-electronic jamming system,” which detects the rocket launch, transmitting its coordinates to the computer unit, which with the help of the optical mechanical unit monitors the missile’s movement, drawing a bead on it with its laser. “At the right moment, the laser is turned on, ‘blinding’ the missile, and causing it to lose its ability to track the target.”
The complex, effective at a range from 500 to 5,000 meters, is capable of simultaneously deflecting two missiles, with an azimuth range of 360 degrees, and an elevation angle of 90 degrees. In standby mode, the system consumes 3 kW, which rises to 6 kW while in operation.
http://cdn5.img.sputniknews.com/images/103620/85/1036208536.jpg
© PHOTO: VITALY KUZMIN/ARMS-EXPO.RU (http://www.arms-expo.ru/news/novye_razrabotki/kret_zashchitil_samolety_ot_pvo_protivnika_sistemo y_prezident_s/?sphrase_id=10521403)
Export version of the President-S airborne defense complex on display.

“The system’s active jamming station countering radar-guided missiles uses a similar algorithm,” the expert noted. “In addition, the complex can be equipped with a towed radar decoy, which lures the missile toward itself, with a tow line length of 150 meters.”
“As far as both the types of aircraft [it can be attached to] and the missiles which might attack them, the President-S is truly a universal system.” In addition to MANPADS, the President-S is capable of counteracting both stationary SAM stations and air-air systems.
The President-S is a new system, the military analyst noted. Accordingly, its delivery has been prioritized to the aircraft most vulnerable to attack by MANPADS devices – namely helicopters (including the Mi-28, Ka-52 and Mi-26) and the IL-76 military transport plane. In the future, elements of the system, which is also in place aboard the Russian presidential plane, will be applied not only to tactical aviation, but to transport aviation, and civil aviation as well.

mick silver

13th March 2016, 12:07 PM

Explosion rocks Turkish capital Ankara, ‘many dead’ – reports Published time: 13 Mar, 2016 17:01Edited time: 13 Mar, 2016 18:05
Get short URL (http://on.rt.com/76uf)

https://cdn.rt.com/files/2016.03/original/56e59f59c36188a4628b45ca.jpg
© Google Maps

817

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An explosion hit the center of Ankara on Sunday evening, with a number of people reportedly killed and wounded.
The blast occurred near Guven Park in the city center.

What appears to be CCTV cam footage was posted on YouTube that allegedly shows the moment of the explosion. A couple of buses can be seen in the video, before a passing by car slows down near them and a huge blast is seen.

The blast appears to have been triggered by a car exploding near a bus stop, Turkish broadcaster TRT said. Guven Park adjoins a major transportation hub.
“It’s a car bomb, [it happened] in the heart of Ankara... and today is Sunday, many people may be outside,” Turkish journalist Onur Burcak Belli told RT by phone, adding that the scene of the blast is “very close to a shopping mall” and that “many cars are on fire and apparently a public bus is also on fire.”
Gunfire was also heard after the explosion, according to Reuters.

Ambulances could be seen at the scene, while the security official told Reuters that there are casualties, both killed and injured.

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At least five people were killed, Turkey’s Dogan news agency reported.
Turkish broadcaster NTV reported "many dead."

Images allegedly showing the aftermath of the explosion emerged on social media. A huge fire could be seen in some of them.

A large cloud of smoke rising into the dark could also be seen from the distance.
Numerous loud sirens could be heard in a Periscope transmission from the scene, in which people can be seen running by, with some screaming.

Neuro

13th March 2016, 01:00 PM

Just got back from Turkey today to Sweden. RT says it is 27 dead and 75 injured now... https://www.rt.com/news/335463-central-ankara-blast-sunday/

Jewboo

13th March 2016, 01:12 PM

Just got back from Turkey today to Sweden. RT says it is 27 dead and 75 injured now...

https://afroginthefjord.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/keepcalm-and-love-norway.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/NNk5vL5.gif

Neuro

13th March 2016, 03:24 PM

https://afroginthefjord.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/keepcalm-and-love-norway.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/NNk5vL5.gif
Just listened to the Swedish prime minister in an interview on TV, re the refugee situation, he has totally lost grip of reality, thinks that Sweden can accept somewhere between 70,000 and 150,000 rapefugees this year too, apart from the 163,000 which was the tally for last year, and he somehow seems to believe it is necessary to bring these burdens on society in to save our welfare system. He seems very well versed in doublethink, holding and accepting two opposite and mutually contradicting opinions simultaneously.

You are correct, neither Turkey nor Sweden are safe any longer for me and my family. I have realized this! And I need to take steps very soon to change that!

mick silver

14th March 2016, 05:31 AM

is there any safe place neuro the world coming a part and the so called leader are the only one that have a safe place pay for by all of us

mick silver

14th March 2016, 05:42 AM

Russia Says Turkey Army Forces Entering Syria Post by U.S.Reporter (https://www.superstation95.com/index.php/world/author/966-usreporter) - Mar 13, 2016

https://cdn.superstation95.com/media/k2/items/cache/dd5c623449414fc88253ba0a5cd4d3e1_XL.jpg

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov revealed today that Russia has evidence proving Turkish Army troops have entered Syria despite being told to keep out.
Russia has previously made it explicitly clear that if any foreign troops enter Syria without permission from the Syrian government, those forces would be ATTACKED by both the Syrian Arab Army and Russian forces operating inside Syria with the government's permission.
Turkey is a NATO country. If Turkey is attacked, it could trigger an Article 5 application of the NATO Treaty. Under Article 5, an attack upon one NATO member is considered to be an attack upon all. But in the particular facts of this case seem to show that Turkey has entered someone else's country without permission. So the question then becomes, if Russia attacks the Turkish troops inside Syria, what would NATO do?
NATO has previously warned Turkey against starting a war with Russia. Turkey was specifically told if you start a war, you are on your own.
Stay tuned for further developments.
https://cdn.superstation95.com/images/turkey-syria-border-map.jpg

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Neuro

15th March 2016, 06:28 AM

https://afroginthefjord.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/keepcalm-and-love-norway.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/NNk5vL5.gif
This photo I took today in Mo i Rana in north Norway, the fiord is in the background. Looks inviting huh?
8130

mick silver

15th March 2016, 04:00 PM

What The Russian “Withdrawal” From Syria Means And What It Doesn’tSource: Brandon Turbeville (http://www.activistpost.com/2016/03/what-the-russian-withdrawal-from-syria-means-and-what-it-doesnt.html)

http://www.activistpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/10266164711.jpg (http://www.activistpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/10266164711.jpg)With the recent announcement by Vladmir Putin that Russia is beginning a withdrawal of specific military personnel and equipment from Syria on Tuesday, March 15, the Western corporate media has been on fire with speculation that Russia is evacuating the country, retreating, and giving up on its military objectives. Indeed, the Western press is presenting the Russian announcement as a total withdrawal and a quick move out the exit door.

Those who are both pro-Assad and anti-Assad have all shared their opinions, with many even on the pro-Assad/pro-Russian side opposing the Russian scale down of military involvement out of fear that the Russians are abandoning Assad. At the crux of this opposition to the Russia move, of course, is the fundamental misunderstanding of what the “withdrawal” actually is.

The Withdrawal

Despite the presentation of the Russian announcement as a total pullout from Syria, coming with everything except pictures of Syrian civilians hanging on to helicopters and airplanes being dumped at sea, the “withdrawal” is merely the reduction of specific military personnel and equipment. The withdrawal is not really a withdrawal in the sense that most readers would understand it. Instead, it is being presented as such by Western press outlets for propaganda purposes.

Remember, Putin has made it clear that the Tartus port will remain open and that the airbases Russia has previously established and operated from will remain functional. Russia is also continuing to drop bombs on ISIS positions. Indeed, on the night before the “withdrawal” was scheduled to begin, Russian planes obliterated a number of ISIS strongholds near Palmyra.

Thus, it should be understood that the Russian “withdrawal” is not a retreat, but simply a scale down of specific forces and readjustment of strategy.

It should also be pointed out that Russian objectives were never to seize and hold Syrian territory as an occupying force. That was the plan of the Americans. Russian objectives were to disrupt and defeat ISIS and shore up the Assad government. Russia has done that and is continuing to do it.

The Reason For The Withdrawal Announcement

So why would Putin announce a partial “withdrawal,” especially since we can presume that he would be well aware of the way in which he would be represented in the Western press? Why would Putin feel the need to make the announcement public at all? Why not simply make the directive, allow it to be carried out, and maintain the public perception that Russia is still fully involved in Syria?

Most likely, the Russian announcement was more politically based than anything else. For instance, one aspect of the announcement, particularly since it coincides with the new "ceasefire" agreement and the United Nations "peace talks," is that it allows Russia to appear as the most rational actor in the fight and the side most committed to actual peace in Syria. This has been Russia's methodology since the beginning of its involvement in the crisis where the United States - when forced to go toe to toe with Russia politically - has ended up with egg on its face every time.

Remember, when the U.S. wanted to invade Syria under the pretext of chemical weapons usage, the Russians swooped in and negotiated a deal to remove Syria's chemical weapons stockpile. Many had valid arguments against the disarmament, but, politically speaking, Russia came away looking diplomatic and peaceful while the West, especially the U.S., came away looking like the bloodthirsty warmonger that it is.

On numerous occasions, when the U.S. was screaming at the top of its lungs that peace could only come from "rebel" victory or the removal of Assad, the Russians came in and organized "peace talks" of their own. These talks ultimately failed but the result portrayed the Russians as the side leaning toward peace and diplomacy while the U.S. was bent on bloody warfare. Russia has been incredibly shrewd and effective on the political front as well as the military front and the recent announcement seems to be one more aspect of that strategy.

The second aspect is that, domestically, Russia is now able to tout a "mission accomplished" moment, a sort of victorious military triumph, without actually landing on an aircraft carrier and declaring the mission officially over while troops are engaged in a bloodbath on the ground. Putin is able to have his cake and eat it too by pointing out that some military objectives have been achieved but still not claiming the mission is over and leaving Assad to the wolves. It is both an international stance toward peace and a domestic stance toward victory even if for no other reason than public relations.

Going Forward

As mentioned earlier, Russia has reaffirmed that not only is the airbase in Latakia and the naval facility in Tartus continuing to operate, but that it will continue air operations against ISIS forces in Syria. Only a day after Putin’s announcement, Russian Defense Minister Nikolai Pankov stated that “Certain positive results have been achieved. A real chance has emerged to put an end to this long-running standoff. But it is still early to talk about victory over terrorism. The Russian aviation group has the task to continue carrying out strikes on terrorist facilities.”

So with the ceasefire agreement barely holding on, the “peace talks” taking place at the United Nations, and the threat of a Turkish/GCC invasion of Syria looming in the background, the question now is whether or not the situation will gradually trend toward peace and de-escalation or whether it will in fact escalate to a wider war between the opposing forces in Syria as well as other interested international actors.

After all, Staffan de Mistura, the UN Special Envoy for the Syria crisis, has already described the talks as essentially the only thing holding back an even wider full-scale war in Syria. While he made no effort to clarify what he meant by comment, the world outside of the Western countries are generally aware of the American agenda in Syria. Informed observers generally recognize that the NATO bloc, along with Israel and the GCC, are not content to simply admit they have been routed, pick up their ball, and go home. They continue to adapt their own methods in much the same way as the Russians and will respond as soon as they have surveyed the chessboard and have selected their next move.

An adjustment of strategy can take many forms but the most concerning is the possible NATO commitment to some type of gamble where it is believed or assumed that the Russians will indeed retreat instead of fight back in the event of a direct military invasion by the regional players and/or the United States.

If such a catastrophic military move ever happens, it will be one that affects every human being on the planet as it would pit two nuclear powers in conflict with one another.

Conclusion
Regardless, the manner in which the Russian announcement has been portrayed in the corporate western press has served only to stir up a number of panicked responses from confused onlookers while, at the same time, providing a complete mystification of the true situation on the ground. Thus, it will become even more confusing to any casual observer attempting to gain any accurate representation of the Syrian crisis.

Unfortunately, what makes a leader look weak in the eyes of many Americans may very well make him look honorable in the eyes of the rest of the world, particularly those parts of it continuing to suffer under American imperialism, war, and destabilization.

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collector

16th March 2016, 11:02 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdYzEniiXRU&feature=iv&src_vid=rS5Kh1_4Q-w&annotation_id=annotation_3879902229

mick silver

20th March 2016, 04:41 AM

U.N. says Saudi-led bombing of Yemen market may be international crimeReuters (http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-un-idUSKCN0WK152) Reports:

The senior U.N. human rights official on Friday condemned the Saudi-led coalition's air strike that killed more than 100 people at a Yemen market this week, saying it was "responsible for twice as many civilian casualties as all other forces put together". "These awful incidents continue to occur with unacceptable regularity. In addition, despite public promises to investigate such incidents, we have yet to see progress in any such investigations," Zeid said in a statement.
"We are possibly looking at the commission of international crimes by members of the Coalition," Zeid said.
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mick silver

20th March 2016, 04:52 AM

The US Gov’t Finally Admits That the People They Armed in Syria Have Committed Genocide

Monday night, the US he House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to declare that Islamic State is committing genocide against Christians and other minority groups in Iraq and Syria.
+
In a unanimous 393-0 vote, the House resolution comes just days before the State Department is legally mandated by Congress to determine whether Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) persecution of minorities in Iraq and Syria – Christians, Yazidis, Sunni Kurds and Shiite Muslims – constitutes genocide, reports RT. (https://www.rt.com/usa/335699-house-vote-isis-genocide/)
+“What is happening in Iraq and Syria is a deliberate, systematic targeting of religious and ethnic minorities. Today, the House unanimously voted to call ISIS’s atrocities what they are: a genocide. We also will continue to offer our prayers for the persecuted,” House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) said in a statement.

According to RT, (http://the%20persecution%20of%20christian%20minorities%20 in%20syria%20and%20iraq%20has%20resulted%20in%20qu ickly%20dwindling%20numbers.%20there%20are%20rough ly%20300,000%20christians%20remaining%20in%20iraq% 20compared%20to%201.4%20million%20in%202003,%20acc ording%20to%20the%20uk-based%20ngo%20aid%20to%20the%20church%20in%20need. %20in%20syria,%20there%20are%20now%20500,000%20chr istians,%20compared%20to%20over%201.25%20million%2 0in%202011.%20christianity%20could%20essentially%2 0disappear%20from%20iraq%20within%20five%20years,% 20the%20report%20argued,%20and%20the%20religion%20 could%20face%20a%20similar%20fate%20in%20other%20m iddle%20eastern%20countries./) the persecution of Christian minorities in Syria and Iraq has resulted in quickly dwindling numbers. There are roughly 300,000 Christians remaining in Iraq compared to 1.4 million in 2003, according to the UK-based NGO Aid to the Church in Need. In Syria, there are now 500,000 Christians, compared to over 1.25 million in 2011.

Christianity could essentially disappear from Iraq within five years, the report argued, and the religion could face a similar fate in other Middle Eastern countries.
+Now that the United States officially recognizes the acts of ISIS as genocide, what do we do next?
Well, the next logical step is to stop them. However, in order to do so, we must first understand where they came from.
+
As Americans cower in fear over the perceived threat from men, women and children attempting to escape ISIS from war-torn Syria, the majority of people are ignoring the reason there are refugees in the first place.
+The US created and funded the terrorist regime in Syria that would be used to destabilize the region and create a specific advantage for American interests over China and Russia.

Prior to 2012, ISIS, as we know them, did not exist. So how did this unknown group of psychopathic killers gain such notoriety so quickly?
+ image: http://cat.ny.us.criteo.com/delivery/lg.php?cppv=1&cpp=ctn%2B83xOMDczNFhNOFZGRHMvU1dhYTI5emdHUUU1UGV4 ZFQ1c3BZUGFxSCsxTm5LeTRZZFdOZVZPSVNoUXlqa1RjNFdxcU ZkRGUwdTJBaGtQNmxJQ0laVGVDSlRTcDZFK01MNXhBU2tNUzEz eFJXM0d4L3dKZGdVWGh0cWxsY2R5Wjg5M0pCQkJ5SW84Y0Z2Uk tMaU1qeGkrcXo3NGtrZ28vVTBIblNDc25OMXo5ckZteTYwN3JC VGZyQUNPRzhkY3VobkE4NjBlWndNM2FEZFpNVDArRmVnWGFkdm w5NUo0cllTdVM0US9zUlVLU2pNPXw%3D
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Leaked Pentagon documents and News Anchor Ben Swann (http://truthinmedia.com/reality-check-proof-u-s-government-wanted-isis-to-emerge-in-syria/) from WGCL Atlanta, explain exactly what happened.
+

A plan to create and arm an active resistance to the Assad regime was put in place four years ago, and the result was a radical group of jihadists who, in turn, morphed into ISIS, all thanks to the United States.
+
These leaked Pentagon documents are not the only evidence that the United States created and aided ISIS either. Just last year, renowned journalist Seymor Hersh interviewed members of the DoD who confirmed the establishment knew about the monster they were creating but chose to conveniently ignore it. According to the report: (http://thefreethoughtproject.com/white-house-cia-supply-terrorists-weapons-topple-assad-u-s-military-feeds-syrian-govt-intel-isis/)
+

Lieutenant General Michael Flynn, director of the DIA between 2012 and 2014, confirmed that his agency had sent a constant stream of classified warnings to the civilian leadership about the dire consequences of toppling Assad. The jihadists, he said, were in control of the opposition. Turkey wasn’t doing enough to stop the smuggling of foreign fighters and weapons across the border. ‘If the American public saw the intelligence we were producing daily, at the most sensitive level, they would go ballistic,’ Flynn told me. ‘We understood Isis’s long-term strategy and its campaign plans, and we also discussed the fact that Turkey was looking the other way when it came to the growth of the Islamic State inside Syria.’ The DIA’s reporting, he said, ‘got enormous pushback’ from the Obama administration. ‘I felt that they did not want to hear the truth.’
+
But that’s not all. When Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter testified (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MAmeAtzKms) in a hearing (http://www.c-span.org/video/?401781-1/defense-secretary-ashton-carter-testimony-us-strategy-isis) before the Senate Armed Services Committee in December concerning the U.S. strategy for fighting ISIL, his inept attempt to keep knowledge of the ISIS oil convoy under wraps backfired in a most comical way. John McCain addressed the Defense Secretary in a state of facetious disbelief about the US-allowed and Turkish-protected oil routes from which ISIS earned a large portion of their funding:
+
“Secretary, you may want to correct the record. We all knew those fuel trucks were moving back and forth. We’ve seen them. We knew it. The decision was not made by the White House to attack them. I think you may want to correct the record,” he added, “because I certainly knew.”

But it doesn’t end there either. The US foreign policy of destabilizing the Middle Eastern region over past decades has led to resentment and hate toward the West. Subsequently, ISIS has no problem filling its ranks with the family members of the victims of the West’s brutal oppression in the region. As we reported last year, the United State’s foreign policy of drone warfare, killing thousands of children, has created a million Osama bin Ladens. (http://thefreethoughtproject.com/foreign-policy-created-million-osama-bin-ladens-9-11/)
+Veterans are also coming forward to confirm this notion. Saying he had “helped create ISIS,” an Iraq War veteran and US Marine bravely spoke out on his role in stoking the ISIS wildfire.
+

Former Marine Vincent Emanuele’s acknowledgment of responsibility comes in an article that was posted (http://www.telesurtv.net/english/opinion/I-Helped-Create-ISIS-20151218-0016.html) on TeleSUR’s English website, in which he hoped to answer the often raised question of “Where did ISIS come from?”
+
“I saw my fellow Marines kill innocent people, torture innocent civilians, destroying property, mutilating dead bodies, running over dead corpses, laughing and photographing people while doing so,” he said. “For me it was very simple. I sat there in Iraq and I asked myself ‘How would I behave?’ ‘What would I think if I was in the shoes of the Iraqi people?’”“I vividly remember the marines telling me about punching, slapping, kicking, elbowing, kneeing and head-butting Iraqis. I remember the tales of sexual torture; forcing Iraqi men to perform sexual acts on each other while marines held knives against their testicles, sometimes sodomizing them with batons,” wrote Emanuele.“I knew what I was seeing was wrong, I knew it was immoral, I knew it was unjust, I knew it was illegal,” said Emanuele,“and I knew that we would pay severe consequences in the form of the blowback as we are seeing with groups like ISIS. I knew those things were going to happen back then just from being a self-conscious person.”
Only through educating ourselves and others about who is behind this theater of constant war and terror, will we ever begin to stop it. Please share this article with your friends and family so that they may see through the smoke and mirrors that is the military industrial complex.
+
image: http://tftppull.freethoughtllc.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/magorist-e1456948757204.jpg
http://tftppull.freethoughtllc.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/magorist-e1456948757204.jpg Matt Agorist is an honorably discharged veteran of the USMC and former intelligence operator directly tasked by the NSA. This prior experience gives him unique insight into the world of government corruption and the American police state. Agorist has been an independent journalist for over a decade and has been featured on mainstream networks around the world.

Read more at http://thefreethoughtproject.com/govt-finally-admits-people-armed-syria-committed-genocide/#BHVdWJjibisjDU2o.99

mick silver

20th March 2016, 04:53 AM

mick silver

20th March 2016, 05:35 AM

Russia's "Mission Accomplished" Moment in Syria

But unlike America's in Iraq, Russia actually has accomplished its mission.

March 17, 2016 (Tony Cartalucci - NEO (http://journal-neo.org/2016/03/17/russias-mission-accomplished-moment-in-syria/)) - In what appears to be another carefully planned masterstroke vis-a-vis the US, NATO, and its Persian Gulf allies upon and around the Syrian battlefield, Russia has announced that it is withdrawing its forces after its 5 month long intervention on behalf of the Syrian government in Damascus.

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4vS4iVqeh2E/Vue_tAugI1I/AAAAAAAAM8A/lftt62K-aiQ9JSBQgvo9ZrogToei_39Qg/s640/11621312423_25af0595b4_b.jpg (https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4vS4iVqeh2E/Vue_tAugI1I/AAAAAAAAM8A/lftt62K-aiQ9JSBQgvo9ZrogToei_39Qg/s1600/11621312423_25af0595b4_b.jpg)

The BBC reported in its article, "Syria conflict: Russia's Putin orders 'main part' of forces out (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35807689)," that:

In a surprise move, Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his military to start withdrawing the "main part" of its forces in Syria from Tuesday. He said the Russian intervention had largely achieved its objectives. The comments come amid fresh peace talks in Geneva aimed at resolving the five-year Syrian conflict.In a hamfisted attempt to mitigate the impact of Russia's statement, US analysts and commentators among many prominent Western news outlets have attempted to frame the announcement as a 'cut and run' move made by Moscow after decimating US-backed "moderate rebels," and leaving the so-called "Islamic State" (ISIS) mainly intact.

Andrew Peek, a former strategic adviser to the top NATO commander in Afghanistan, admitted in his NY Daily News op-ed titled, "Why Putin's pulling out of Syria: He got what he wanted — which is not what he said he wanted (http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/andrew-peek-putin-pulling-syria-article-1.2564263)," that ISIS has lost some 25% of its territory during the Russian intervention.

It should be noted that Russia's intervention had begun and ended in a fraction of the time the US has been "fighting" ISIS. The US intervention - a much more lengthy military campaign - had overseen not a reduction in ISIS territory, but the vast and otherwise inexplicable expansion of the terrorist organization before Russia's arrival in Syria.

West Claims That Russia is out of Money

Another attempt by the West to frame Russia's announcement as a "failure" for Moscow includes claims that Russia can no longer sustain its operations. Upward estimates of the cost of Russia's operations in Syria ranged between 1-2 billion USD per year - approximately 1/50 of Russia's overall annual defense budget.

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5jZvpdDi-gg/Vue_0OGbVNI/AAAAAAAAM8E/RQsWrO6CqwEBuDtLkHfEyfre21lUZqsrQ/s640/1018619509.jpg (https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5jZvpdDi-gg/Vue_0OGbVNI/AAAAAAAAM8E/RQsWrO6CqwEBuDtLkHfEyfre21lUZqsrQ/s1600/1018619509.jpg)

Again, Western commentators and analysts, in their haste to frame Russia's latest move as a "failure," directly contradict their own analysis months ago. Reuters in their article, "U.S. sees bearable costs, key goals met for Russia in Syria so far (http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-russia-syria-idUSKBN0UB0BA20151229)," admitted that:

Three months into his military intervention in Syria, Russian President Vladimir Putin has achieved his central goal of stabilizing the Assad government and, with the costs relatively low, could sustain military operations at this level for years, U.S. officials and military analysts say.Indeed, according to RT itself (https://www.rt.com/business/327427-russia-arms-export-2016/), Russia's defense export agency Rosoboronexport alone pulled in over 15 billion USD in 2015, with another 15 billion planned for 2016. While Russia is undoubtedly feeling the pressure of sanctions and the West's manipulation of energy markets, providing air support to the Syrian Arab Army was - and still is - a very sustainable undertaking.

What Really is Happening

To truly put this announcement in proper context, it helps to understand just what the battlefield looked like in Syria before Russia's entry into the war and how it looks now.

In approximately mid 2015, it was clear that US-backed terrorists were openly coordinating with groups including Jubhat Al Nusra, a US State Department-listed foreign terrorist organization. Furthermore, this new combined front, primarily operating in northern Syria from Turkish territory, appeared to be coordinating with ISIS in the east.

In fact, a coordinated offensive in the north where logistical lines were shorter and easier to maintain put significant pressure on Damascus to redeploy troops to this front. At the same time, ISIS surged toward Palmyra from the east. Both operations were large enough to implicate significant planning and staging, perhaps even months head of the coordinated, two-front offensive.

Russia intervened at the height of this shift in which Damascus found itself forced to make a series of strategic withdrawals. While the force Russia brought was relatively small compared to typical Western military interventions, operations were intense and undoubtedly effective. Virtually all of the terrorist gains made during the mid-2015 offensive were rolled back or significantly contested, while logistical lines feeding Western terrorist proxies from Turkey were exposed and destroyed.

With the tide clearly turned, the bulk of necessary combat missions for Russia are indeed over. What is left is monitoring the ceasefire, continued strikes against ISIS, and the ability if necessary to strike logistical lines leading into Syrian territory if they are reestablished.

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0nfWEi3QD0o/VufAMFZx_iI/AAAAAAAAM8I/BkUde_ghfy8j2TubQDaCET2LiYXpUfucQ/s640/mo-xe-xe-tang-t-90-my-to-nga-gui-sang-syria-hinh-5.jpg (https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0nfWEi3QD0o/VufAMFZx_iI/AAAAAAAAM8I/BkUde_ghfy8j2TubQDaCET2LiYXpUfucQ/s1600/mo-xe-xe-tang-t-90-my-to-nga-gui-sang-syria-hinh-5.jpg)

Image: In addition to air support, Russia has augmented the Syrian Arab Army with additional capabilities, including T-90 main battle tanks capable of defending against the torrent of anti-tank missiles shipped to terrorists by the US and its allies.

But because Russia has announced its withdrawal, and because of the West's eagerness to pounce on acknowledging it, if only to condemn it as a sign of weakness and failure, the West itself will now have great difficulties if it tries to further perpetuate hostilities on the ground.

Of course, the West fully intends to continue training and equipping terrorists along Syria's borders and sending them into the country - US generals before the US Congress have recently testified saying as much - and of course Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and other US allies in the region plan to continue supporting terrorist groups already operating in Syria - but they all do so in the aftermath of a grand gesture of deescalation by Russia.

And while Russia and even the West have framed this latest move as a "withdrawal," the reality is that Russia will be maintaining the only two military installations it ever had in Syria.

Russia will continue to maintain enough of a presence to respond effectively to any shift back in favor of the West's proxies - proxies who are supposed to be observing a ceasefire, and who - if they violate it now in the belief that Russia will no longer respond - will not only expose their own treachery and that of their Western sponsors, but will justify a wide range of retaliatory actions to be taken by Syria and its allies - including Russia.

Russia's grand gesture is made with the sure knowledge that whatever forces it leaves behind in Syria will be more than adequate to support Syrian troops who are now making huge gains on the battlefield. The initial force needed to reverse the immense, nationwide coordinated offensive undertaken by Western backed terrorists in 2015 is no longer necessary.

Russia will be cutting back on an already cost-effective military campaign, while providing itself and its allies additional credibility during the ceasefire and ahead of peace talks. All the while, it will still be more than capable of responding to any conceivable threat posed to its allies in Damascus.

Tony Cartalucci, Bangkok-based geopolitical researcher and writer, especially for the online magazine “ (http://journal-neo.org/)New Eastern Outlook” (http://journal-neo.org/).

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Labels: middle east (http://landdestroyer.blogspot.ru/search/label/middle%20east), MiddleEast (http://landdestroyer.blogspot.ru/search/label/MiddleEast), Russia (http://landdestroyer.blogspot.ru/search/label/Russia), Syria (http://landdestroyer.blogspot.ru/search/label/Syria)

mick silver

20th March 2016, 05:37 AM

neuro what are you hearing on why Russia pulling some of their forces out of there , could it be it's getting better are could Russia be about to start something on a new front ?

mick silver

20th March 2016, 05:43 AM

West's Wars, Domestic Storms: Fascists, Terrorists, & "Multiculturalism"

February 25, 2016 (Tony Cartalucci - NEO (http://journal-neo.org/2016/02/24/wests-wars-domestic-storms-fascists-terrorists-multiculturalism/)) - The United States and Europe, along with many willing collaborators have waged a series of wars and proxy wars stretching across much of Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia.

What the West was pursuing in reordering the post-Soviet world through conventional military means in Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq beginning in 2003, it continued through somewhat less-conventional means - the so-called "Arab Spring" and the series of proxy wars that erupted afterward beginning in 2011.

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uep-OQczDNk/VsoQIKCg9QI/AAAAAAAAM4U/wfAljiKJ8m8/s640/article-1368693-0B49943500000578-778_964x519.jpg (https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uep-OQczDNk/VsoQIKCg9QI/AAAAAAAAM4U/wfAljiKJ8m8/s1600/article-1368693-0B49943500000578-778_964x519.jpg)

Today, Western-fueled wars continue to consume Libya, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Yemen, while violence and political instability plague other nations the West has either recently meddled in or is currently occupying or undermining.

France alone - in addition to conducting military operations in Libya in 2011, and currently carrying out military operations in Syria and Iraq - has troops stationed in African nations including the Central African Republic (2,000), Chad (950), Ivory Coast (450), Djibouti (2,470), Gabon (1,000), Mali (2,000), and Senegal (430).

Eritrea and Somalia during this 15 year period have been subjected to invasions from neighboring Ethiopia - who despite being plagued by widespread poverty - has been the benefactor of US military support and encouraged to carry out proxy war upon its neighbors not unlike Saudi Arabia is now doing in Yemen.

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2CLAn0WmIYk/VsoP88iLDtI/AAAAAAAAM4Q/_Ad6XfkxJz8/s640/Part-PAR-Par8161261-1-1-0.jpg (https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2CLAn0WmIYk/VsoP88iLDtI/AAAAAAAAM4Q/_Ad6XfkxJz8/s1600/Part-PAR-Par8161261-1-1-0.jpg)

Predictably, the result is an arc of chaos stretching halfway around the world. Also predictably, from this arc of chaos refugees flee, and they are fleeing to Europe, the only place they can go to escape the chaos.

For Africa, perhaps the most ironic aspect of the current refugee crisis besetting Europe is the fact that Libya - whom Europe conspired to destroy - had been absorbing refugees from across Africa for years, putting them to work and giving them a stable nation to live their lives in. When Libya was set upon by the US and Europe in 2011, it was predicted that Libya would go from serving as a destination for refugees, to a gateway for them, onward to Europe. And that is precisely what has happened.

Europe Created the Refugees, Europe Must Take Responsibility for Them

Without doubt, along with the US and many others, Europe is responsible for the refugee crisis. Every nation that voted for or contributed military assets to operations across North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia are directly responsible for the subsequent instability that has inevitably followed.

It was in "humanitarianism" that the West justified these wars, and now that is time to provide humanitarian assistance to refugees created by these same wars, there is now inexplicably a debate on whether or not to render aid, and to what degree.

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DWZhRx8gKpg/VsoQOImSHII/AAAAAAAAM4Y/xSCyNg9lGRQ/s640/02libya-etnic-cleansing.jpg (https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DWZhRx8gKpg/VsoQOImSHII/AAAAAAAAM4Y/xSCyNg9lGRQ/s1600/02libya-etnic-cleansing.jpg)

Citing international law is moot, since one would have expected international law to have made the extraterritorial aggression that precipitated this refugee crisis in the first place an impossible proposition. But the inescapable question remains - if Europe is not to take in the refugees its own wars created, nor will its collaborators - the US, Turkey, Israel, and the Persian Gulf - who should?

Turning a Crisis into Chaos

Tens of thousands of people flooding from a trans-regional conflagration into Europe will inevitably create tension. Systems must absorb a growing number of people who need to be fed, clothed, housed, cared for medically, and eventually educated and put to work. Under the best circumstances with a reasonable and honest government, it would be a challenge. Considering that those charged with managing the crisis were those directly responsible for creating it, ensures that a manageable crisis turns to greater chaos.

Turning this crisis cynically into chaos requires three ingredients:

Fascists: First, the US and Europe have invested heavily in the spreading of "Islamophobia" in the wake of September 11, 2001, to help fuel the endless wars subsequently predicated on the terrorist attacks on New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania. Groups like the English Defense League (EDL), and the more recent "Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the West" (PEGIDA) have sprung out of and have since been supported by the very engineers of the wars (http://landdestroyer.blogspot.com/2010/09/globalist-stunts-islamophobia.html) driving people from their countries into Europe. Ironically, this "War on Terrorism" was being waged by armies of terrorists these very same interests along with their Saudi partners were arming and funding for decades.

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XBrfy1BuRNU/VsoQXJth2MI/AAAAAAAAM4c/E1cRMOjNBww/s640/JS58050012.jpg (https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XBrfy1BuRNU/VsoQXJth2MI/AAAAAAAAM4c/E1cRMOjNBww/s1600/JS58050012.jpg)

The EDL and PEGIDA deal in the worst sort of disinformation, lumping the world's 1.6 billion Muslims into a single group they claim is set on "Islamizing" the planet. For the average EDL or PEGIDA member, it doesn't matter to them that if even 1% of the world's Muslims were violent extremists, that would constitute an army 10 million strong that would have long already "Islamized" them.

When torrents of refugees began flooding into Europe, in a climate of fear and ignorance carefully and methodically constructed over the past 15 years, it doesn't take much to convince EDL and PEGIDA followers that the "invasion" had begun.

Terrorists: The second ingredient is extremists. The United States, Europe, and its Turkish and Persian Gulf allies have invested for decades in creating terrorist groups to both act as a proxy mercenary force abroad and a means of violent, coercive fear inducement at home. Through a concerted campaign by the media, these extremists are lumped in together with the refugees - and Western intelligence agencies may even be literally lumping them into camps and enclaves springing up all across Europe.

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B1p2lfWVUSw/VsoQfJXJhUI/AAAAAAAAM4g/KOfCN6EEGdg/s640/DIA_2012Confession.jpg (https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B1p2lfWVUSw/VsoQfJXJhUI/AAAAAAAAM4g/KOfCN6EEGdg/s1600/DIA_2012Confession.jpg)

For those that doubt this, reports of "mosques" featuring "imams" supporting the so-called "Islamic State" and even recruiting fighters from across Europe to join the fight in Syria should be of particular interest. Especially when these same "mosques" are revealed to be working with the police and government to manage these fighters when they return as was the case with one notorious "mosque" in Denmark.

The Local DK would report in an article titled, "Danish mosque doubles down on Isis support (http://www.thelocal.dk/20150106/danish-mosque-doubles-down-on-isis-support)," that:

“We want the Islamic State to come out on top. We want an Islamic state in the world,” the mosque’s chairman, Oussama El-Saadi, said in the DR programme. El-Saadi also said that he views Denmark’s participation in the US-led battle against Syria as a direct affront not only to his mosque but to all Muslims. “The war is against Islam,” he said.
Paradoxically, a man who should by all accounts be arrested and removed from society for providing support for a listed terrorist organization was later revealed to be the centerpiece of a Danish program rolled out to handle returning ISIS fighters from Syria. Der Spiegel's article, "Community Response: A Danish Answer to Radical Jihad (http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/aarhus-program-for-returning-jihadists-from-syria-a-success-story-a-1019633.html)," would report:

Commissioner Aarslev says he is proud of what they have thus far achieved, though he never forgets to praise his people and the others involved in the program. He is particularly effusive when speaking of one man: a bearded Salafist who is head of the Grimhøjvej Mosque in Aarhus, where many of the young men who left Aarhus to join the war in Syria were regulars. It's leader is a man named Oussama El Saadi.......these two men have joined forces in a project that is seeking to find answers to questions that are plaguing the entire continent of Europe: What can be done about radical returnees from Syria? What measures are available to counter the terror which once again seems to be threatening the West closer to home?
El Saadi role is threefold. He intentionally feeds into the narratives of the EDL and PEGIDA, fills the ranks of the West's terrorists forces abroad, and serves as a handler for them when they return home, with a deadly array of skills and connections which can be leveraged to further inflame existing tensions inherent with any influx of refugees.

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nn_wtYMHti8/VsoQoKkKFcI/AAAAAAAAM4k/8OEznlpOVGg/s640/5ccba50611628e2dc5ad89513d832cc7.jpg (https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nn_wtYMHti8/VsoQoKkKFcI/AAAAAAAAM4k/8OEznlpOVGg/s1600/5ccba50611628e2dc5ad89513d832cc7.jpg)

Multiculturalism: The third and final ingredient is the West's version of "multiculturalism." Like terrorism and far-right extremism, the same special interests have also invested in an army of NGOs (http://landdestroyer.blogspot.com/2011/11/ned-freedom-house-are-run-by.html) to prop up their own take on what should be a fairly straightforward concept.

Far from anything resembling impartial mutual respect for other people's race, religion, and culture, under a singular national identity, it is instead the intentional, selective, and cynically manipulative use of culture, lending it primacy not only over national identity and the rule of law, but over the cultures of others whenever and wherever convenient.

This way, those cultural characteristics found as most disruptive can be intentionally placed ahead of those that are most stabilizing and constructive, at the expense of other people's lives and liberty. It is done intentionally to breed a sense of privilege and animosity among different cultures, races, and religions, and has historically been an integral part of any 'divide and conquer' stratagem.

Together, this trifecta works with devastating efficiency, turning what is already a crisis of Europe's own creation, into chaos - chaos that can be wielded to suit the special interests behind this trifecta.

From Chaos, to Crisis, to Stability

Throughout human history, huge numbers of refugees and migrants have been absorbed into nations not only with success, but to the benefit of those who made genuine efforts to absorb these influxes. For Europe, doing likewise will be difficult but is not impossible, but several matters must be addressed.

1. End the Wars: Even under ideal conditions, the refugee crisis would be difficult to manage. As long as Europe wages or backs wars around the world, this crisis will not only continue, it will only get worse. Even as European leaders pose as victims amid their own self-made catastrophe, they are still pushing for war in Syria, allowing Saudi Arabia with absolutely impunity to destroy neighboring Yemen, and occupying with their military forces a large number of foreign nations.

Ending the wars and allowing these nations to rebuild in their own way is the only way the current deluge will be stayed. Obstructing Syrian and Russian forces in the restoration of peace and order in Syria is an indictment of the lack of sincerity expressed by European leaders regarding humanitarian concerns and more specifically their refugee crisis they are attempting sidestep.

2. Humanize the Refugees: To truly protect the refugees, they must be given an identity. Calling them "refugees" rather than humanizing them, and recognizing them not only as an "influx," but as individuals, denies those that both created this crisis and seek to exploit it the opportunity to collectivize the influx and thus collectivize responsibility for when anyone amongst this influx commits a crime or is even baselessly accused of doing so.

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W6j5T4hwm6o/VsoQzDw_vRI/AAAAAAAAM4o/4LBPkakoqYU/s640/CblYKyFUsAEB-uQ.jpg (https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W6j5T4hwm6o/VsoQzDw_vRI/AAAAAAAAM4o/4LBPkakoqYU/s1600/CblYKyFUsAEB-uQ.jpg)

For many Europeans, they cannot distinguish the difference between Shia'a and Sunni, let alone understand how Wahhabism is neither. Many cannot even distinguish the difference between Sikhs and Muslims in most cases. This ignorance is the swamp within which racism and bigotry breed. Draining this swamp is essential. Rather than attacking the most extreme and immovable edifices leading the EDL and PEGDIA in the streets, appealing to and educating the silent majority as to who is really in these camps will make it ever so much clearer who is creating trouble among a very small minority, and who came to Europe and is prepared to live within the rules to build a new future.

Pretending that out of tens of thousands of refugees no where will there be found a criminal element denies the realities of human nature itself - and by collectivizing the refugees in this matter, we aid those who seek to exploit this crisis in collectivizing responsibly among all refugees when one does ill. Assigning characteristics, good or bad, to any group is the very definition of bigotry. If one doesn't want it wielded against the refugees, they must not wield it in their defense.

3. Reclaim Multiculturalism: Russian President Vladimir Putin himself would say in a piece titled, "Russia: The Ethnicity Issue (http://archive.premier.gov.ru/eng/events/news/17831/)," that:

Any individual living in this country [Russia] should be keenly aware of their faith and ethnicity. But above all they must be citizens of Russia – and be proud of it. No one has the right to place ethnic and religious concerns above state law. The law, however, must take account of ethnic and religious concerns. President Putin claims this is demonstrated in Russia. In Singapore, it is also the definition of multiculturalism. For Singaporeans who range from Muslims to Christians, from Buddhists to Hindus and secular, they are all first and foremost Singaporeans. Their national identity is defined by universal ideas like meritocracy, professionalism, excellence in education, and hard work. They provide mutual respect for one another's cultures, faiths, and beliefs, neither asking to be spared from those of others, nor being forced to abandon their own. What results is distinctively different cultures and religions working together under a singular identity as Singaporeans.

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C7iNI4vs4Cw/VsoQ4ZX8CcI/AAAAAAAAM4w/XSIDjQgbeh0/s640/19208552.JPG (https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C7iNI4vs4Cw/VsoQ4ZX8CcI/AAAAAAAAM4w/XSIDjQgbeh0/s1600/19208552.JPG)

The abuse of multiculturalism takes this concept and twists it. Like an imperial viceroy ruling over a colony intentionally showing favor for one tribe over all others to intentionally bait the others into attacking the former, Western "multiculturalism" is really the playing off of one culture against another - keeping all of them weak, and with mutual respect erased entirely from the equation.

Moving beyond the false 'left-right' pro- and anti-multiculturalism narrative, it must instead be redefined and taken back. When those defending the refugees are able to delineate between real refugees and their religion and culture, versus Western-created cartoon characters like "Imam" Oussama El Saadi and the perversions he passes off as religion and culture, the majority in the middle gravitating toward PEGIDA will finally have a rational alternative to turn to.

4. Integrate the Refugees: Leaving the refugees segregated and in legal and socioeconomic limbo ensures only further tension and incidents. Integrating them into society and allowing them to begin rebuilding their lives must take precedence above all else. In the unlikely event that Europe and its allies cease hostilities across the globe and withdraw their troops and proxies from the many nations they are now destroying and undermining, resources can then be invested in helping these people return home.

The refugees are capable and willing to work, like the many millions already doing so across Europe from over the decades and even centuries. They will become an asset to Europe and the economic threat they pose to Europeans will not exist if afforded equal protection under the law on the streets, at school, and especially at work. Additionally, by integrating them socioeconomically, they begin the process of assimilation.

Europeans who fear their nations will be changed by this influx of refugees are at least partially right. Europe will change. After all, a nation's current state is but an amalgamation of its history. Part of that history for Europe is invading and destroying the nations of other peoples, faiths, and cultures, leaving them with no alternative but to follow the trail their futures were stolen down. The refugees will change Europe precisely because Europe has changed the nations the refugees are fleeing.

Cause, for better or worse, and effect, for better or worse, but inescapable.

Tony Cartalucci, Bangkok-based geopolitical researcher and writer, especially for the online magazine“ (http://journal-neo.org/)New Eastern Outlook” (http://journal-neo.org/). http://journal-neo.org/2016/02/21/syrian-hospital-strikes-the-unexpected-war-criminal (http://journal-neo.org/2016/02/21/syrian-hospital-strikes-the-unexpected-war-criminals/)

mick silver

20th March 2016, 10:42 AM

Get A New Routine! West 'Should Refrain From Exporting Democracy'© AP Photo/ Ebrahim Noroozi

Politics (http://sputniknews.com/politics/)18:55 20.03.2016Get short URL
4 (http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160320/1036628643/west-exporting-democracy.html#comments)30190

Most attempts by Western countries to "export democracy" to authoritarian regimes have failed, German newspaper Deutsche Wirtschafts Nachrichten (DWN) wrote.
http://cdn3.img.sputniknews.com/images/101897/41/1018974134.jpg
© AP Photo/
Ron Paul: West Sparked Refugee Crisis by 'Pushing 'Democracy' at the Barrel of a Gun' (http://sputniknews.com/politics/20150908/1026736593/refugees-us-eu-interventions-syria-empire.html)

The formal establishment of the democratic order alone is not a guarantee for the creation of socially and politically equitable conditions and respect for human rights, the article said.In early 1990s, many African countries established formal democracy. They started to organize elections and make a show of sticking to democratic principles, but in fact have been far away from the real division of political power.
In his book "Post-democracy", British political scientist Colin Crouch called such democracy a kind of theater in which the main decisions are made by technocrats behind the scenes while the democratic process is only staged for the public.
"We should not export our own values and political conditions to where they are rejected by the local population because they contradict their cultural traditions and for which they have no understanding," DWN wrote (http://deutsche-wirtschafts-nachrichten.de/2016/03/19/falsche-fassaden-westen-sollte-auf-export-von-demokratie-verzichten/).
According to the newspaper, Western democracy is not the only possible political model for Africa and other authoritarian regimes. For instance, East Asian countries experienced an economic boom thanks to their authoritarian governments and not democratic ones.
"It is undemocratic, unwise and arrogant to again and again assess the situation in other regions of the world in accordance with Western standards," the newspaper wrote.
African counties should find their own political models which would be accepted by their population.
When people identify themselves with a certain system and accept it, there are more chances for credible economic development and well-being of the population than in case of a formal — and often inefficient — imitation of Western standards, DWN concluded.

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Related:Macedonia Unrest: West Giving Balkan Country a Lesson of 'Democracy' (http://sputniknews.com/politics/20150520/1022369299.html)

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160320/1036628643/west-exporting-democracy.html#ixzz43SiZCLob

Neuro

20th March 2016, 02:39 PM

Caught On Tape: Turkey Shoots At Kurds Waving White Flag In Cizre

Source: Zero Hedge

As a string of suicide attacks on Ankara and Istanbul have made abundantly clear, Turkey is in a state of turmoil. In fact, one might fairly say that the country has descended into outright chaos. Today’s bombing of Istiklal Caddesi (http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-03-19/deadly-blast-rips-through-turkeys-most-popular-tourist-street-cctv-footage-captures-) was just the latest tragedy to strike one of Turkey’s urban centers. Images from the aftermath of the blast are, much like those that appeared on social media in the wake of last Sunday’s TAK attack on a transit hub in Ankara’s Kizilay, horrific.
It’s important that the world consider why this is happening. Whether these are false flags or actual PKK/TAK attacks is irrelevant. The critical thing to understand is that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is allegedly committing genocide against the country’s Kurdish population. Does that excuse suicide attacks staged by Kurdish militants? Obviously not, but what’s happening in the country’s Kurdish southeast is appalling.
“Between August and February, the Turkish army -which has mobilised 10,000 troops to smoke out PKK militants - has imposed 59 curfews in the cities of Diyarbakir, Sirnak, Mardin, Hakkari, Mus, Elazig and Batman, affecting 1.3 million people,” France 24 writes (http://www.france24.com/en/20160318-turkey-silent-war-kurds-pkk-diyarbakir-cizre-erdogan), adding that “in Cizre, where a curfew was lifted earlier this month, 80% of the city has been destroyed.”
We’ve profiled Cizre before (see here (http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-08-08/we-have-civil-war-inside-turkeys-descent-political-social-and-economic-chaos)). Here’s how Vice put it (https://news.vice.com/article/there-will-be-a-civil-war-in-turkey-welcome-to-cizre-the-center-of-kurdish-resistance) last summer when hostilities between Ankara and the PKK began anew:
“Cizre has spent years on the fringes of war. The unremarkable-looking town of just over 100,000 lies on the Tigris River, around 30 miles from the tripoint where Turkey meets conflict-ravaged Syria and Iraq, and violence regularly strays over the national boundaries. Now, the cycle of airstrikes and renewed PKK attacks on Turkish troops threaten a return to the three-decade-long struggle between the two sides that claimed more than 40,000 lives. And here, residents feel like they're at the heart of the fight.”

Last month, allegations emerged that Turkish soldiers had encircled a burning apartment building in the city. Hundreds of people were trapped inside. According to some reports (see here (https://www.rt.com/op-edge/335938-kurds-erdogan-cizre-turkey/) and here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amcg1tN2hvo) to suggest a few) they were burned alive. Below, find footage from January which appears to show the Turkish military firing on a group of Kurds in Cizre who look to be crossing the street waving a white flag.
Warning: Graphic

Two days ago, the Obama administration accused ISIS of committing genocide. Where, one might ask, is the accountability for Washington's NATO ally Erdogan?
http://www.zerohedge.com/sites/default/files/images/user92183/imageroot/Turkey_5.png?1458410512

Share This Article...

I stayed at a hotel about a hundred yards away from the latest suicide bombing in Istanbul with my wife 2 weeks ago. She was in Istanbul for a week for a Swedish-Turkish translation seminar sponsored by the culture ministry of Sweden. Turkey has quite a heavy police presence in these areas of Istanbul, but main reason is to prevent riots, like in 2013. I did take the subway when I stayed at the hotel to my clinic, in the morning, and back in the evening. I was surprised on how slack security controls where at the subway. Likewise at the Istanbul airport when I go back and forth between Sweden and Turkey. I have a hip prosthesis, a solid piece of metal in the general area a person would normally carry a gun, never had a proper pat down in Istanbul airport, despite the alarm the metal detector makes when I go through it. In Stockholm I get a patdown every time.

The only issue I had in Istanbul airport, was when I took a half kilo bar of silver in my hand luggage, after the x-rayed the luggage, they called over the supervisor who asked if I had a receipt for it, which I didn't, but they probably figured it wasn't worth that much so they returned it after weighing it in their hands for a couple of minutes. Lucky since this is the only silver I had after a terrible boating accident. Since then I had an ice fishing accident and I lost this bar of silver too. I may have a 40% silver coin or two somewhere but I can't remember where...

mick silver

24th March 2016, 05:57 AM

Kerry Arrives in Moscow, Plans to Press Russia on ‘Assad Must Go’
Source: Shadowproof (https://shadowproof.com/2016/03/23/kerry_arrives_in_moscow_assad_must_go/)

John Kerry arrived in Moscow for talks tomorrow on Syria and Ukraine during which he plans to again pressure that “Assad must go” after Russia’s partial withdrawal. Ukraine has reneged on the Minsk agreement and is pushing for changes in their obligations as a decision EU renewal of sanctions approaches. An ISIS attack in Brussels killed at least 31. Two suicide bombers were identified and one suspect is at large. ISIS regained some territory from al Nusra in southern Syria and Syrian forces are within striking distance of Palmyra in central Syria. Escalation in Libya is very likely. Syria is still central to the war on ISIS and so called war on terror.
Syria_ A July 2012 email from the Hillary Clinton email archive (forwarded by Clinton) has an email from a member of Israeli intelligence saying that a Sunni-Shia war in Syria is favorable development for Israel and for the West (http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160318/1036535881/clinton-israel-intelligence.html), saying that Iran would lose its only ally in the Middle East if the Assad regime collapses. Also on Wikileaks, a December 2000 policy paper from sent to Hillary Clinton, “shows that US sought Syria regime change for Israel’s sake (http://news.antiwar.com/2016/03/21/clinton-email-shows-us-sought-syria-regime-change-for-israels-sake/),” according to Jason Ditz atantiwar.com (http://antiwar.com/). The paper (https://wikileaks.org/clinton-emails/emailid/18328#source) described a war with armed proxies but no US troops and said Russia wouldn’t dare oppose America, and predicted that Syria would abandon Iran and turn against Hezbollah.
_ The Syrian government maintains that they will not discuss the future of Assad at the peace talks in Geneva (http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-government-idUSKCN0WN1W1), which UN envoy de Mistura says might derail the cessation of hostilities agreement which is ‘more or less still holding’.
US-Russia Relations_ John Kerry arrived in Moscow this morning (https://twitter.com/APDiploWriter/status/712613052160417792) for talks withRussian president Putin and foreign minister Lavrov tomorrow. Kerry is expected to “press President Vladimir Putin on how Russia sees a future political transition in Syria and the fate of President Bashar al-Assad (http://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-usa-idUSKCN0WP1QM)” and “get down to brass tacks” on the question of Assad’s future. Russia has maintained that it wants the Syrian people to decide.
ISIS Attack in Brussels_ At least 31 people were killed in suicide attacks in Brussels. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attacks. Belguim’s chief prosecutor “named two brothers on Wednesday as Islamic State suicide bombers (http://live.reuters.com/Event/World_News)” and another suspect is still at large. The story has dominated international news and changes rapidly by the hour.
Ukraine Wants to Ditch Minsk Agreement, Escalates Shelling the East_ Shelling from the Ukraine military into E. Ukraine continues to escalate. Western media tends to portrays situation as separatist aggression, focusing on injured Ukraine soldiers and no reports of civilian casualties from Ukraine military shelling.
_ Britain will sign a 15-year defense pact with Ukraine (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/12197242/Britain-signs-new-defence-pact-to-help-Ukraine-in-Russia-confrontation.html), deploy British troops in Ukraine, do joint exercises and training with Ukrainian forces.
_ State Dept. spokesman John Kirby said the US will continue to urge the Kiev government to implement political reforms required under the Minsk agreement (http://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-politics/1984345-john-kirby-us-urges-ukraine-to-speed-up-political-reforms.html) and they will not lift Russian sanctions “as they continue to violate the territorial integrity of Ukraine and until Minsk is implemented. That’s not going to change.” Crimea was not include in the Minsk agreement so it’s not clear which violations he is referring to. The EU has been pressuring Poroshenko to implement the reforms, no elections have been held in E. Ukraine, etc. but he he can’t because ultra-right neo-Nazis who helped him overthrow Yanukovych will overthrow him too. The Kiev government is on extremely shaky ground. At the same timeSamantha Power is calling on UN member states to force Russia to “completely fulfill the Minsk Agreements.” (http://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-politics/1984356-us-call-on-un-member-states-to-make-russia-fulfill-minsk-agreements.html)
_ US media, including the New York Times, are beginning to give favorable propaganda to “political insurgents” who oppose the Minsk agreements. One, Oksana I. Syroyid, has blocked the passage of the Minsk mandated constitutional amendment required by the Minsk II peace accord (http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/19/world/europe/ukraine-oksana-syroyid.html). Syroyid is portrayed as a feminist protege of Yulia Tymoshenko.
_ The War Party in Washington, (http://nationalinterest.org/feature/the-obama-doctrine-ukraine-15505) in line with statements from NATO’s Breedlove, are calling for more money and military aid, $3 billion, to Ukraine (http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160316/1036408563/ukraine-washington-new-president-neocons.html) from the US, served with a large dose of fearmongering about Russia.
_ In early March, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a report on Ukraine (http://www.praguepost.com/world-news/52180-un-issues-new-report-on-ukraine) that shows ” the conflict is severely impacting on the daily life of civilians, with a growing sense of despair and isolation affecting those living in the conflict zone” and how they are “in urgent need of greater protection and support.”
Victoria Nuland Enables Ukraine as They Renege on Minsk Agreement_ In a Senate Foreign Relations committee hearing on March 15 (http://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/ukrainian-reforms-two-years-after-the-maidan-revolution-and-the-russian-invasion-031516) while reporting progress on Ukraine two years after the Maidan coup, Victoria Nuland told the committee that Ukraine is not going to implement the Minsk agreement and she is making up new rules on a sequence of events that does not exist in the actual agreement (http://uatoday.tv/news/nuland-russia-should-not-expect-constitutional-changes-in-ukraine-until-minsk-deal-implemented-611200.html). She claims that releasing “hostages” will improve the environment for compromise in Kiev (a very disingenuous statement given facts cited above) and then she says that Ukraine won’t implement Minsk, but finds a way to deflect blame. (Nuland testimony PDF (http://www.foreign.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/031516_Nuland_Testimony.pdf)) Nuland says Europe is reconsidering support for Ukraine because they will not implement Minsk.

“In the meantime though, neither Moscow, nor self-appointed Donbas authorities should expect the Ukrainian Rada to take up key outstanding political provisions of Minsk, including election modalities and constitutional amendments before the Kremlin and its proxies meet their basic security obligations under Minsk.”
_ In her statement (http://www.foreign.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/031516_Nuland_Testimony.pdf), Nuland said that “US advisors serve in almost a dozen ministries and localities.” She also said that “in recent weeks” 68 Ukraine military personnel were killed and 317 injured. That sounds more like a full blown war than ceasefire violations. Reports of Ukraine military shelling of civilian areas or any impact on civilians of Donbass are not mentioned in her statement, just as they are ignored in western media.

Libya_ PM David Cameron’s plan calls for British warships and helicopters to intercept migrants off Libyan shore and “taking measures to dispose of vessels or to make them inoperable within that remit, within the coastline of Libya (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/12197320/British-warships-to-intercept-migrants-off-Libyan-shore.html) rather than on the high seas.” Cameron says he is worried about a new mass migration from Libya. Escalation of violence in Libya is very likely as the UK, France and United States via the UN demand that a “unity government” chosen by the UN Security Council be installed quickly and experts expect the current governments and their armed militias to fight it.
Yemen_ UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Hussein said the Saudi airstrikes on a market in Yemen last week may be a war crime or other “international crime.” (http://news.antiwar.com/2016/03/18/un-rights-commissioner-saudi-attack-on-yemen-market-may-be-a-war-crime/) Hussein said “They have hit markets, hospitals, clinics, schools, factories, wedding parties – and hundreds of private residences […]these awful incidents continue to occur with unacceptable regularity.” The Saudis have blocked calls for war crimes investigations.
Syria Battlefront_ Russian air force was bombing ISIS on three “hot fronts” (https://twitter.com/EjmAlrai/status/710781794346471424) last Friday: Qaryateyn, Palmyra, Deir-Ezzour, and reclaimed more territory at Hameem. Russian helicopters assisted the Syrian Army and Hezbollah in regaining control of Arin Hill (https://twitter.com/EjmAlrai/status/710867645185310721), northwest of Palmyra. (Reports from Al Rai Media war correspondent, Elijah Magnier). Today a Syrian general is reporting that the Syrian forces “have regained control of historic area of Palmyra (https://southfront.org/syrian-army-liberates-historic-area-of-palmyra-from-isis/). […] ‘The Syrian army regained control of the historic town of Tadmur (Palmyra) with small weapons,’ a Syrian brigadier-general told Sputnik” (https://southfront.org/syrian-army-liberates-historic-area-of-palmyra-from-isis/) Full control of the “Palmyra Triangle” was achieved around noon on Wednesday (https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-hezbollah-liberate-palmyra-triangle/) which puts them within striking distance of Palmyra itself.
_ An ISIS group, Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade, gained ground in sourthern Syria from rebel forces and al Nusra. They took the towns of Tasil (Taseel), and are fighting in Tafas and Muzayrib “as the rebel line of defence seems to have utterly collapsed (https://southfront.org/map-isis-gains-ground-in-southern-syria/).” Syrian forces are reportedly not intervening in these fights (https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-snatches-swaths-of-land-from-rebels-in-southern-syria-map-update/) and have captured some towns in the suburbs of Daraa city in recent weeks. Some more history on the Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade here (https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-snatches-swaths-of-land-from-rebels-in-southern-syria-map-update/). They re probably best known for their attacks on Filipino UN peacekeepers in 2013.
_ Near Aleppo, there are reports backed by video on social media that the Free Syrian army is fighting alongside al Qaeda/al Nusra in the city of Tall Rifat (https://southfront.org/free-syrian-army-and-jabath-al-nusra/). The Washington Post did a good report from Aleppo (https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/a-tale-of-two-cities-in-aleppo-rubble-on-one-side-packed-restaurants-on-the-other/2016/03/19/3758a0cc-e55e-11e5-a9ce-681055c7a05f_story.html?hpid=hp_no-name_hp-in-the-news%3Apage%2Fin-the-news) about the contrast between the two sides, one rebel-held and one government-held part of Aleppo
Russian / American Deal on Syria, Iran’s Disagreement, Kerry to Moscow, IDF Officer’s Take_ Alastair Crooke says more than anything Russia’s semi-withdrawal “puts the onus on the U.S. to stop its allies (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alastair-crooke/russia-withdraw-syria_b_9487262.html) (Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar) from weaponizing and financing their proxies in this war.” Elijah Magnier cites a high official source who is part of the Syrian coalition about a deal between the US and Russia where the US (https://elijahjm.wordpress.com/2016/03/18/the-difference-between-russia-and-iran-over-syria/) leans on its Middle Eastern allies for a “cessation of the flow of weapons” and to bring them to the table at Geneva in exchange for Russia removing the majority of its air force at Hmaymeem airport, leaving only enough to protect the air base. Magnier notes that Iran was not a party to this deal and has several significant disagreements with Moscow on plans for Syria, including whether or not “Assad must go.”

_ Crooke’s analysis is that “one tangible effect of the drawdown may be that the political negotiations are kicked upstairs, (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alastair-crooke/russia-withdraw-syria_b_9487262.html)from the (disempowered) participants in Geneva to the external actors who sponsor and finance them.” His analysis makes sense given that Sec. of State John Kerry plans to visit Moscow next week, March 22-25 (https://twitter.com/innercitypress/status/710964661391376385)to discuss Syria and Ukraine. Crooke notes that Putin handled Ukraine rebels in a similar way, (http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2015/02/12/what-brought-vladimir-putin-to-the-table-over-ukraine-and-how-to-keep-him-there/) taking things to the negotiating table right at the moment when they had the Ukraine military surrounded at Debaltseve. Crooke believes one of Putin’s main goals is to of course avoid war with NATO but also to “tease out some peer-to-peer cooperation with the U.S. as a prelude to resetting the relationship between both powers.” This drawdown and commitment to diplomacy would also give Europe less justification for maintaining sanctions at the next decision point in June. Crooke also makes important points about the negotiations happening on the ground in Syria, town by town. The deals being made on the ground by the Russian military and the Syrian government with the cooperation of the UN are hardly reported.

_ Israel’s “number two-ranking officer” Maj. Gen. Yair Golan, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) deputy chief of staff, made some very significant statements (http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/international/mideast-africa/2016/03/17/top-israeli-commander-endorses-obama-doctrine-gives-kudos-moscow/81938066/) last week. He praised Russia’s military officers and America’s restraint. He said they worked well with “talented and wise” Russian officers to resolve problems and that he expected Russia to have a prolonged presence in Syria now “even after the declarations of Putin… and I don’t necessarily think it’s to our detriment.” Golan also said that America “has started to refrain from use of force in recent years” and “it’s time, he said, that Israel adopts similar thinking. Golan also said the IDF is on par with all first-rate militaries in the world, including the US, who he believes “are not better than us.”
Read More... (https://shadowproof.com/2016/03/23/kerry_arrives_in_moscow_assad_must_go/)
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mick silver

25th March 2016, 04:49 PM

US Kills ISIS Second-In-Command For 3rd Time In 2 YearsPublished: March 25, 2016

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Source: Zero Hedge (http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-03-25/us-kills-isis-second-command-3rd-time-2-years-press-conference-live-feed)

While Russia and Iran are busy liberating whole cities from ISIS in Syria, the US is sticking with the “one raid at a time” approach and it apparently paid dividends on Thursday morning when Abu Alaa Afri, also known as Abd al-Rahman Mustafa al-Qaduli and Haji Imam was killed in Syria (http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/isis-terror/isis-s-second-command-killed-raid-sources-n545451).
US Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joe Dunford are set to make the announcement this morning at a press conference and the Pentagon is thrilled. Al-Qaduli had a $7 million bounty on his head, higher than Omar the Chechen (who was killed earlier this month) and Abu Mohammed al-Adnani who is arguably more influential than Bakr himself.
A physics teacher by trade, Mosul-born al-Qaduli was ISIS before ISIS was ISIS. He served as a deputy to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi (Islamic State’s “godfather”) and was jailed by the US in Iraq in 2012. Upon his release, he joined ISIS and reportedly was Bin Laden’s choice to lead the group after Abu Omar al-Baghdadi and Abu Ayyub al-Masri were killed in 2010. He was, however, passed over for Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, whose family can be loosely traced to the Prophet.
http://www.zerohedge.com/sites/default/files/images/user92183/imageroot/2016/03/06/ISIS.png
Al-Qaduli is no stranger to being dead.
He died last April for instance, in a strike on a mosque in Iraq. “Al-Qaduli was one of several people killed in a strike that hit a mosque where Islamic State leaders were meeting,” WSJ reported (http://www.wsj.com/articles/islamic-state-second-in-command-killed-in-airstrike-1431528722) at the time. He was also killed in September of 2014. Here's the airstrike that killed him last year:
In any event, if al-Qaduli is indeed no more, it means that ISIS has lost two of its top brass in the space of just three weeks (al-Shishani being the other).
And if US SpecOps did indeed kill him, it just goes to show that the CIA has indeed served a burn notice on the entire chain of command. After all, Russia and Hezbollah are pushing uncomfortably close to Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa and dead men, as they say, tell no tales.
http://www.zerohedge.com/sites/default/files/images/user92183/imageroot/2016/03/06/ISISDead_0.png (http://www.zerohedge.com/sites/default/files/images/user92183/imageroot/2016/03/06/ISISDead.png)
http://www.zerohedge.com/sites/default/files/images/user92183/imageroot/2016/03/06/ISISdead2_0.png (http://www.zerohedge.com/sites/default/files/images/user92183/imageroot/2016/03/06/ISISdead2.png)
http://www.zerohedge.com/sites/default/files/images/user92183/imageroot/2016/03/06/ISISDead3_0.png (http://www.zerohedge.com/sites/default/files/images/user92183/imageroot/2016/03/06/ISISDead3.png)
http://www.zerohedge.com/sites/default/files/images/user92183/imageroot/2016/03/06/ISISDead4_0.png (http://www.zerohedge.com/sites/default/files/images/user92183/imageroot/2016/03/06/ISISDead4.png)
http://www.zerohedge.com/sites/default/files/images/user92183/imageroot/2016/03/06/ISISDead5_0.png (http://www.zerohedge.com/sites/default/files/images/user92183/imageroot/2016/03/06/ISISDead5.png)

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mick silver

25th March 2016, 04:54 PM

Vladimir Putin to New World Order Agents and Satanists: Assad Is Not For Sale!By Jonas E. Alexis (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/alexis/) on March 24, 2016
Whether New World Order agents and Satanists like it or not, the Israeli regime is an enemy of the free world. If anyone doubts this again, then Syria should be a case study, where 88.7 percent of the Syrian population supported Assad.
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/putin3-1.jpg“If Kerry thinks that he could bribe me in accepting the New World Order ideology in Syria, he’s got another thing coming. Cheers.”

…by Jonas E. Alexis (http://www.veteranstoday.com/contact/staff-writers/)
As Jim W. Dean would have put it, you can’t make this stuff up. John Kerry has recently met with Vladimir Putin to talk about the situation in Syria. Kerry, a New World Order agent, has obviously conceded defeat. But he doesn’t want to give up that easily. He wants to try, and try, and try, perhaps until his last breath. He thinks that he can woo Vladimir Putin to accept the New World Order ideology in Syria. Kerry said:
“Russia will have to speak (http://news.yahoo.com/u-kerry-tells-russia-wants-see-further-reduction-083957459.html?nf=1) itself as to what it is going to choose to do in order to help Mr Assad make the right decisions, but we agreed today that we will accelerate the effort to try to move the political process forward.”
What are the “right decisions”? Well, Kerry still envisions Syria without Assad! As one U.S. official said:
“What we’re (http://news.yahoo.com/kerry-urges-birthday-boy-lavrov-respect-elder-100517030.html?nf=1) looking for, and what we’ve been looking for, for a long time is how are we going to transition away from Assad’s leadership.”
Kerry again said: “I believe that Russia is fully engaged in this effort and all of us are going to try and get President Assad to make the right decision over these next days to engage in a political process that results in a genuine transition.”
Well, why doesn’t Kerry allow the Syrian people to decide the fate of Assad? Why doesn’t he look at the previous record and see that the vast majority of the Syrian population supported the Assad government? Again, Assad won the last election by 88.7 percent.[1] (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/03/24/vladimir-putin-to-new-world-order-agents-and-satanists-assad-is-not-for-sale/#_ftn1) Can Kerry think of any U.S. president who actually won an election by that figure?
You see, the New World Order agenda simply does not make any sense whatsoever. In fact, Syria is not a threat to the U.S. or to any Western society. Obviously Kerry is a representative for the Israeli regime, which sought to remove Assad from time immemorial.[2] (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/03/24/vladimir-putin-to-new-world-order-agents-and-satanists-assad-is-not-for-sale/#_ftn2)
Obviously Putin didn’t pay much attention to Kerry’s new mumbo jumbo. In fact, Putin has recently congratulated his soldiers for doing a great job in Syria. Putin said that Russia has radically changed the political calculus, and the objectives had been “generally accomplished.” In other words, Assad stays, and New World Order agents and Satanists fall.
Whatever you may think of Putin, at least he didn’t allow Satanists to destroy Syria—like they have done in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya.
Two cheers for Putin.
There is a deeper issue here as well. Whether New World Order agents and Satanists like it or not, the Israeli regime is an enemy of the free world. It is a terrorist state, and this has been the case from its inception.[3] If anyone doubts this again, then Syria should be a case study, where the Syrian population supported Assad. In that sense, the Israeli regime must be challenged both politically and morally.
As E. Michael Jones would put it, diabolical entities like the Israeli regime are not our enemies “because of some occult racial inheritance.” They are our enemies because they have metaphysically and categorically rejected Logos, the essence of the moral and political order.
“This means that Jews to the extent that they accept, honor and revere Logos, are not our enemies. There are Jews who accept Logos fully by accepting baptism, and there are Jews who accept it in some lesser capacity by their docility to the truth. We all know Jews like this, and they should not be excluded from our fellowship, especially since many of them have suffered at the hands of ‘the Jews’ themselves.”[4] (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/03/24/vladimir-putin-to-new-world-order-agents-and-satanists-assad-is-not-for-sale/#_ftn3)
I can think of Brother Nathanael Kapner, Henry Makow, Norman Finkelstein, Shlomo Sand, Philip Weiss, Israel Shamir, Gilad Atzmon, Mortimer Adler (one of my favorite philosophers), Gerard Menuhin, David Berlinski, etc. We hope that more will accept the moral and political order and will challenge Israeli regime itself.
[1] (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/03/24/vladimir-putin-to-new-world-order-agents-and-satanists-assad-is-not-for-sale/#_ftnref1) “Bashar al-Assad wins re-election in Syria as uprising against him rages on,” Guardian, June 4, 2014; “Bashar Assad wins Syria presidential election with 88.7% of vote,” Russia Today, June 4, 2014; “Landslide Win for Assad in Syria’s Presidential Elections,” Haaretz, June 4, 2014.
[2] (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/03/24/vladimir-putin-to-new-world-order-agents-and-satanists-assad-is-not-for-sale/#_ftnref2) “’Israel wanted Assad gone since start of Syria civil war,’” Jerusalem Post, September 17, 2013; “Israel wants Syria’s Assad ‘gone,’” PBS, September 17, 2013; “Israeli defense official: ‘Syria is gone,’” Business Insider, June 30, 2015.
[3] See for example Benny Morris, The Birth of the Palestinian Refugee Problem, 1947-1949 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1987); Ami Pedahzur and Arie Perliger, Jewish Terrorism in Israel (New York: Columbia University Press, 2011); Ilan Pappe, The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine (Oxford: One World Publications, 2006); The Forgotten Palestinians: A History of the Palestinians in Israel (New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2011); Zeev Sternhell, The Founding Myths of Israel (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1998).
[4] (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/03/24/vladimir-putin-to-new-world-order-agents-and-satanists-assad-is-not-for-sale/#_ftnref3) E. Michael Jones, The Catholic Church and the Jews (South Bend: Fidelity Press, 2015), kindle editRelated Posts:

John Kerry: Sanctions Against Russia Ain’t Working (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/01/23/john-kerry-sanctions-against-russia-aint-working/)
New World Order Is Losing Battles in Syria (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2015/12/16/new-world-order-is-losing-battles-in-syria/)
74 Percent of Russians Would Vote for Putin Again—NWO Agents and Satanists Are Scared! (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/03/07/74-percent-of-russians-would-vote-for-putin-again-nwo-agents-and-satanists-are-scared/)
New World Order Agents Are Psychopaths (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/27/new-world-order-agents-are-psychopaths/)
The New World Order Is Losing the War in Syria Really Bad (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/02/25/the-new-world-order-is-losing-the-war-in-syria-really-bad/)

mick silver

25th March 2016, 04:57 PM

Obviously Kerry is a representative for the Israeli regime, which sought to remove Assad from time immemorial.[2] (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/03/24/vladimir-putin-to-new-world-order-agents-and-satanists-assad-is-not-for-sale/#_ftn2)“’Israel wanted Assad gone since start of Syria civil war,’” Jerusalem Post, September 17, 2013; “Israel wants Syria’s Assad ‘gone,’” PBS, September 17, 2013; “Israeli defense official: ‘Syria is gone,’” Business Insider, June 30, 2015.

mick silver

25th March 2016, 05:09 PM

Syria battlespace, Mar. 25, 2016 By South Front on March 25, 2016     …from SouthFront The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and its allies have advanced on al Nusra militants in Marj region in Eastern Ghouta, and seized full control over the strategic Tal al-Frat region. Separately, 800 humanitarian aid packages were delivered as a part of Russian support in at least three towns in the Southern parts of Damascus: Yalda, Babbila and Seyedi Meqdad. On Mar.24, the Syrian forces supported by Russian fighter helicopters entered the rugged terrain of Palmyra Orchards following liberating the Semiramis Hotel and Gas Station. Now, the loyalist forces are clashing with ISIS militants in order to consolidate the gains and continue advance on the city’s southern part. Meanhile, Russian warplanes are pounding ISIS’ supply route between Palmyra and Al-Sakhanah. If Palmyra is liberated, the SAA and its allies will likely advance through the Palmyra-Sukhna-Deir Ezzor road in order to break ISIS siege from the Deir Ezzor. Furthermore, Palmyra is a crucial logistical hub which will allow the loyalists to increase its edge in freedom of movement while terrorists will be restricted the liberty of actions. A Russian Special forces officer has died a hero in Syria during a target-designation mission near the city of Palmyra, a spokesman for the Russian military contingent at the Hmeymim air base told reporters on Thursday. The Russian officer carried out a mission for a week, spotting crucial ISIS facilities and providing precise coordinates for Russian airstrikes. The officer’s name, rank and the date of the accident remain undisclosed. The presence of Russian special forces, conducting target designation missions, was earlier confirmed by Colonel General Aleksandr Dvornikov, a deputy commander of the Central Military District in Russia and chief of Russia’s campaign in Syria.

mick silver

27th March 2016, 05:47 PM

Untold Story of Syrian Coup: Who is Really Behind the Plot to Topple Assad?

Damascus, Syria (Sputnik (http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160325/1036856128/clinton-emails-assad.html))– Thanks to modern technologies one can easily reconstruct the story of Washington’s conspiracy aimed at destabilizing Syria by exploiting the country’s ethnic and religious divisions. In his recent Op-Ed (https://www.rt.com/op-edge/336408-google-this-hillary-clinton-emails/) for Russia Today Neil Clark, a journalist, writer, broadcaster and blogger, writes that former US Secretary of State Clinton’s emails as well as secret labels and reports provided by Wikileaks and American conservative educational foundation Judicial Watch show that Washington was by no means an innocent bystander, but went out of its way to destabilize Syria (http://sputniknews.com/tags/geo_Syria/) and exploit its ethnic and religious divisions.What previously seemed to be just a set of circumstances have turned out to be elements of a highly thought-out and well-orchestrated project.
Nothing hinted at any trouble back in 2006, when US Ambassador to Syria William Roebuck sent a cable (https://wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/06DAMASCUS5399_a.html) to the White House describing “potential vulnerabilities” of the Assad government and the “possible means to exploit them.”
For instance, Roebuck proposed to play on Sunni fears of Iranian influence.
“Though often exaggerated, such fears reflect an element of the Sunni community in Syria that is increasingly upset by and focused on the spread of Iranian influence in their country through activities ranging from mosque construction to business. Both the local Egyptian and Saudi missions here, (as well as prominent Syrian Sunni religious leaders), are giving increasing attention to the matter and we should coordinate more closely with their governments on ways to better publicize and focus regional attention on the issue,” the Ambassador wrote.
The cunning politician also suggested using rumors of corruption in the inner circle of the Assad government; airing “the SARG’s dirty laundry” through the Gulf monarchies’ media sources; and encouraging gossip and signals of some sinister external plotting to increase the possibility of the government’s “self-defeating over-reaction.”Interestingly enough, Riyadh and Cairo were supposed to play an important role in the Washington-led conspiracy against Bashar al-Assad (http://sputniknews.com/tags/person_Bashar_al-Assad/).
According to Pulitzer-prize winning investigative journalist Seymour Hersh, following the US invasion of Iraq Saudi Arabia persuaded Washington to crackdown on Iran (http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160323/1036837234/europe-brussels-radical-islamism.html) and its allies in the region (the Shiite crescent), most notably Assad’s Syria.
“The Saudis have considerable financial means, and have deep relations with the Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafis — Sunni extremists who view Shiites as apostates,” Hersh wrote in his article (http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2007/03/05/the-redirection) for The New Yorker in 2007, citing Vali Nasr, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and expert in Middle Eastern affairs.
Then the Silicon Valley’s ingenious planners stepped in. In 2010 Jared Cohen, the President of Jigsaw (‘Google Ideas’) and an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, made a trip to Syria with Alec Ross, technology policy expert who was Senior Advisor for Innovation to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.Summing up the results of their “business trip” to the Syrian Arab Republic, Ross wrote (https://wikileaks.org/clinton-emails/emailid/1626): “When Jared and I went to Syria, it was because we knew that Syrian society was growing increasingly young (population will double in 17 years) and digital and that this was going to create disruptions in society that we could potential harness for our purposes.”
Clark turns the spotlight on the fact that “those ‘purposes’ were of course ‘regime change’ and to break Syria’s alliance with Iran.”
In summer 2012, when the Syrian conflict spun out of control political aide Sidney Blumenthal wrote (https://wikileaks.org/clinton-emails/emailid/12171) to Hillary Clinton:
“The fall of the House of Assad could well ignite a sectarian war between the Shiites and the majority Sunnis of the region drawing in Iran, which, in the view of Israeli commanders would not be a bad thing for Israel and its Western allies.”
Nearly simultaneously president of ‘Google Ideas’ Jared Cohen offered the State Department a new digital tool aimed at bolstering defections from the Syrian government, Clark notes.
http://thefifthcolumnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/syria-1202174_1280-300x240.jpg (http://thefifthcolumnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/syria-1202174_1280.jpg) Image Source: Pixabay.com

“Our logic behind this is that while many people are tracking the atrocities, nobody is visually representing and mapping the defections, which we believe are important in encouraging more to defect and giving confidence to the opposition,” Cohen wrote.
Interestingly enough, in August 2012 the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) shed some light on who exactly was behind the Syrian uprising: Salafists, the Muslim Brotherhood and al-Qaeda in Iraq.”Internally, events are taking a clear sectarian direction. The Salafists (http://sputniknews.com/tags/keyword_Salafists/), the Muslim Brotherhood (http://sputniknews.com/tags/tag_MuslimBrotherhood/) and AQI [al-Qaeda in Iraq] are the major forces driving the insurgency in Syria… AQI supported the Syrian opposition from the beginning, both ideologically and through the media” the DIA report (https://www.judicialwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Pg.-291-Pgs.-287-293-JW-v-DOD-and-State-14-812-DOD-Release-2015-04-10-final-version11.pdf) read.
However, it did not prevent the Obama administration from continuing their operation. They were fully aware of what forces they were playing with.
In 2015, in an interview (http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/headtohead/2015/07/blame-isil-150728080342288.html) with Al-Jazeera Michael Flynn, former head of the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), confirmed that that it was a “willful decision” (http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160127/1033802730/washington-caught-supporting-jihadists-syria.html) of the Obama administration to team up with Salafists, al-Qaeda and the Muslim Brotherhood in Syria back in 2012.
“I don’t know that they turned a blind eye, I think it was a decision. I think it was a willful decision,” Flynn said.
“WikiLeaks confirms that — as was the case in Libya and Iraq — almost everything about the official “western establishment” version of the war in Syria was false,” Clark underscores.
“Far from being an innocent bystander, the US went out of its way to destabilize the country and exploit ethnic and religious divisions,” he stresses.

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mick silver

2nd April 2016, 09:22 AM

More War: U.S. weighs ramping up deployment of special forces to SyriaSource: Reuters (http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-usa-syria-idUSKCN0WY5TA)

The U.S. administration is considering a plan to greatly increase the number of American special operations forces deployed to Syria as it looks to accelerate recent gains against Islamic State, U.S. officials told Reuters. The officials, with direct knowledge of the proposal's details, declined to disclose the exact increase under consideration. But one of them said it would leave the U.S. special operations contingent many times larger than the around 50 troops currently in Syria, where they operate largely as advisors away from the front lines.
The proposal is among the military options being prepared for President Barack Obama, who is also weighing an increase in the number of American troops in Iraq. A White House spokeswoman declined comment.
The proposal appears to be the latest sign of growing confidence in the ability of U.S.-backed forces inside Syria and Iraq to claw back territory from the hardline Sunni Islamist group.
Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, controls the cities of Mosul in Iraq and Raqqa in Syria and is proving a potent threat abroad, claiming credit for major attacks in Paris in November and Brussels in March.
But there are mounting indications that the momentum in Iraq and Syria has shifted against Islamic State.
U.S. officials say the group is losing a battle to forces arrayed against it from many sides in the vast region it controls. In Iraq, the group has been pulling back since December when it lost Ramadi, the capital of the western province of Anbar. In Syria, the jihadist fighters have been pushed out of the strategic city of Palmyra by Russian-backed Syrian government forces.
Since U.S.-backed forces recaptured the strategic Syrian town of al-Shadadi in late February, a growing number of Arab fighters in Syria have offered to join the fight against the group, the U.S. officials said.

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mick silver

2nd April 2016, 10:43 AM

Russian Withdrawal Means Different Things to Different Actors Column: Politics (http://journal-neo.org/category/columns/politics/)
Region: Middle East (http://journal-neo.org/category/locations/middle-east/)
Country: Syria (http://journal-neo.org/category/locations/middle-east/siriya/)

http://journal-neo.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/20160315061450725-300x167.jpg (http://journal-neo.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/20160315061450725.jpg)Recent days have witnessed some serious developments taking place with regard to international efforts at peacefully ending the war in Syria. While Russia’s decision to withdraw bulk of its fighting force from Syria does indicate a strong resolve on its part to clear the way for a negotiated end of the crisis, this decision and the implications thereof have been understood variously by different actors involved in the crisis in one way or the other. For some, it is a step towards final resolution of the war; for others, it might lead to proliferation of the fighting groups as they might see in it a chance to revive their weak position. Notwithstanding what different actors see in this decision, it was quite clear from the beginning that this decision was going to lead to some significant developments immediately that could leave crucial impact on the possible outcome of the crisis out of the on-going peace talks.One of the most important developments that have taken place in this context is Kurdish ‘federal declaration.’ Given the fact that Kurds have been excluded from the peace-talks, the declaration can very well be understood as an expression of the objectives they are aiming at achieving by taking an ‘independent position.’ Despite the fact that both Syrian Government and Syria’s main ‘opposition’ group have rejected the move, even a hypothetical existence of a semi-independent Kurdish area in northern Syria could lead Arab states to push for an identical semi-independent Sunni region in eastern Syria.Such a step would only put the peace-process under cloud once again. This is important due to the fact that the U.S. President is fast losing his influence over his Arab allies as the time for presidential elections approaches in the U.S. As such, Kurdish declaration might tempt both Turkey and Saudi Arabia to kick start the so-called plan B to invade Syria and carve out a zone for the passage of Qatar-Turkey-Saudi Arabia gas pipe project— a project that is said to have triggered the conflict in Syria in the first place.While Kurds have made this declaration and Turkey and Saudi Arabia are trying to understand Russia’s ‘true intentions’ behind this withdrawal, what is critical for Syria’s safe future is the way Russia and Iran negotiate their own conduct. While Syria is already on-board, Iran has also maintained its ‘cool’ over the withdrawal.The secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, said in an interview with state television that Tehran and Moscow have not halted their military advisory roles in Syria. “Russia’s decision to withdraw some of its forces from Syria was coordinated and preplanned. It didn’t come as a surprise at all,” Shamkhani said. Similarly, Iranian foreign minister’s response was, unlike Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the Western media, least rooted in trying to read a “political meaning” into it. On the whole, for Iran as well as for Russia, this withdrawal does not mean an end of military and diplomatic support to Syria. Apart from the fact Russian would still be maintaining some military presence in Syria, Tehran also did well to use the visit of Syria’s deputy foreign minister Faisal al-Mekdad to voice its continued strong support for Assad. This was also articulated by the speaker of the Majlis Ali Larijani and the supreme leader’s advisor on foreign affairs Ali Akbar Velayati while receiving Mekdad. Velayati hailed the united front involving Iran, Syria, Iraq and the Hezbollah and added that Russian operations “transformed the conditions to the benefit of the resistance front.” Velayati added, the “Syrian government survived unscathed from a small world war which sought to destroy the backbone of resistance in the region.”For Iran, this withdrawal certainly does not mean an end of the war. Notwithstanding the on-going talks in Geneva, Iran is still preparing to deploy its snipers in Iraq and Syria in “advisory capacity.” However, regardless of the apparent Iranian cool on the Russian decision, it is apparent to Tehran that Russia does want to settle the crisis in Syria ahead of the up-coming elections in the U.S. and that it wants to settle the crisis in a way that could put it on an advantageous position vis-à-vis the U.S. and its European allies—a position that Russia could use to remove Western sanctions. While Russia may be trying to diplomatically out-manoeuvre its Western peers, Iran may find itself forced into increasing its military presence in Syria if Turkey and Saudi Arabia try to implement, or even play with words to implement the so-called plan B. This is where Iran-Russia relations become somewhat complex as far as their position and the outcome they want to achieve are concerned. Were Russia and the U.S. to reach an agreement on Syria, leading to the arrival of the U.N. peacekeeping missions in Syria, Iran may find it difficult to withdraw its forces which it is, at the moment, trying to increase as mentioned above. On the other hand, an increased Iranian military presence in Syria would certainly run counter to a number of regional countries, especially Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Israel. While Turkey is trying to revamp its relations with Iran, both Saudi Arabia and Israel have, during the course of the crisis in Syria and in the wake of Russian military campaign, maintained somewhat balanced position as far as their bi-lateral relations with Russia are concerned. It is not to suggest that Russia would accommodate their interests at the expense of its relations with Iran. We cannot disregard that Saudi Arabia and Israel’s manouvers would most certainly shape Iran’s own position, leading to possible fraction between Iran and Russia at some point. Russia, therefore, has to tread the path carefully to maintain its own balance. The situation is, therefore, tricky and is likely to become clear for all the concerned actors as talks in Geneva progress. However, what is reasonably evident here is that Russia’s decision to withdraw from Syria has certainly forced all the concerned actors into re-evaluating their erstwhile positions on Syria—hence, differing positions on this withdrawal. Will be this be remembered as a great diplomatic success of Russia? We shall know soon enough. However, it is interestingly evident that this withdrawal has certainly once again stamped Russia’s own resurgence as a global actor, capable of playing decisive roles in conflict and conflict-resolution.Salman Rafi Sheikh, research-analyst of International Relations and Pakistan’s foreign and domestic affairs, exclusively for the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook (http://journal-neo.org/)”.
http://journal-neo.org/2016/03/30/russian-withdrawal-means-different-things-to-different-actors/

mick silver

2nd April 2016, 10:45 AM

Politicians push for war as the way out of economic troubles
By Daily Bell Staff - March 28, 2016

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Tony Blair [in the Sunday Times]: Britain and its western allies must be prepared to send ground troops to “crush” Islamic State forces or risk a terror attack in Europe of “such size and horror” that draconian security measures would have to be introduced, Tony Blair has said. -Guardian
In a widely noted editorial, Tony Blair is speaking up again, pounding the drums for war without apology. This after years of vilification for involving Britain in overseas wars.
Obviously Blair is enunciating policy points that the larger, shadowy British establishment wants to present. For one reason or another, Blair remains a presenter of choice when it comes to these things.
One listens to the talking points and watches the movements “on the ground,” and eventually comes to the realization that a kind of World War III is being organized.
Such a war, if ever delivered, would be a catastrophe, and certainly would not result in the economic benefits we are instructed that World War II provided after its conclusion.
This is Blair’s second major statement in a matter of days on international issues. In a previous article, we covered Blair’s recent statements to the BBC regarding “flabby liberalism.” (http://www.thedailybell.com/news-analysis/blair-to-eradicate-european-culture-to-create-a-united-states-of-europe/)
Blair warned then that he is setting off on a crusade that would result in creating international policies against “extremism and intolerance.”
In this article, he sounds more directly militant. And his viewpoints are supported by a recent article over at ZeroHedge entitled, Japan’s Finance Minister Accidentally Reveals How It All Ends: “War.”
From the ZeroHedge article:

It seems – according to a stunningly candid transcript of Japan’s finance minister’s conversation with none other than Paul Krugman – that the real endgame here is actual war. Aso remarked that “a similar [deflationary mindset] had occurred in the US in the 1930s. What solved the question? War!
Aso is certainly engaged in a continual struggle against the current reluctance of Japanese businesses to make investments. This is similar to the reluctance in Europe and the US and has to do with previous government support for bankrupt banks and other businesses.
Instead of letting the contraction of 2008 run to its conclusion, governments stepped in and propped up failing institutions.
Supposedly – and illegally – the US Fed sent up to US$16 trillion around the world in a matter of days to ensure that the current financial structure remained in the place.
Such actions basically froze the Great Recession in place. But war basically forces institutions to invest.
In the US, for instance, large institutions may have been reluctant to make investments before World War II, but as war loomed, these same institutions faced government demands that they convert factories to produce war-based products. Investments were made, after all.
However, war is ultimately destructive and does not create prosperity anymore than throwing a rock through a window does.
What did help economically after World War II is described in a Mises article entitled, World War II Did Not End the Great Depression.
The article refers to an analysis by Robert Higgs that divided the Great Depression into three phases.

The Great Contraction occurred during the Hoover years and went from 1929 to 1933. During this period private investment fell by about 84 percent.
This set the stage for the Great Duration, 1933–1945. As … the 1930s wore on, President Franklin Roosevelt became ever bolder about undermining property rights. This delayed complete recovery.
Finally, there was the Great Escape, which occurred after and in spite of World War II, not because of it.
The Great Escape argues that the US in particular, as the dominant nation-state, set the tone for the rest of the world. And in the US, returning veterans wanted a return to normalcy and a well-functioning economy.
As a result, there came about “a partial dismantling of the regulatory infrastructure that had grown up during the Depression and the war.” Higgs calls this a “rediscovery of the market and a new birth of freedom for entrepreneurs and workers.”
But the chances of a Great Escape taking place again are not very good. Any modern war will probably not be waged on a such a grand scale as World War II, but will likely be a widening conflict encompassing many smaller regions.
It also may last a lot longer than World War II due to the lack of singular and defined opponents. As a result, there will probably be no homogenized homecoming of veterans and no “great escape” from the continued expansion of the regulatory state.
What we have consistently argued is that neither politics nor any resurgence of industrial freedom will much delay the Anglosphere’s gradual authoritarian descent.
For this reason, we suggest that people do their best within family and community units to assert independence from the larger, statist structure.
This ought to be done privately and surreptitiously when possible, though legally as much as possible.
The results should include the ability to defend oneself, a store of precious metals, access to potable water and a fresh food supply and even, if possible, the ability to travel abroad to places where one has a second home and the ability to live independently.
Counter-cyclical – “defensive” investing – ought to be examined too.
Some of this is costly but some is not. And the goal should always be independence and self protection.
Even heavy-handed efforts to impose a wartime economy are bound to be irregular and incompetent.
The alternative of course is something much worse, but the chances in our view are much greater for a muddled authoritarianism. This will be one that gives people with planning and foresight the ability to “live free in an unfree world.”
In fact, optimistically, as a result of the Internet, many elite plans that have been made to increase the global order seem gradually to be falling by the wayside.
Conclusion: As we have pointed out before, the ability to survive and thrive despite the upcoming chaos will gradually lead to better days ahead. The trick is getting from here to there.

Tagged with: STAFF NEWS & ANALYSIS (http://www.thedailybell.com/tag/staff-news-analysis/)
Posted in STAFF NEWS & ANALYSIS (http://www.thedailybell.com/category/news-analysis/)

mick silver

3rd April 2016, 06:05 AM

The Cloak and Dagger Inside the Kerry Briefcase Column: Politics (http://journal-neo.org/category/columns/politics/)
Region: USA in the World (http://journal-neo.org/category/locations/usa-in-the-world/)

http://journal-neo.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/56f4786ac36188a1778b4585-300x224.jpg (http://journal-neo.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/56f4786ac36188a1778b4585.jpg)On March 24th US Secretary of State John Kerry stepped off a plane at Moscow’s Airport carrying a valise in his right hand. Arriving for negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the familiar tall statesman looked a bit out of character carrying such a large briefcase, but few took notice. On sitting down across a table from the Russian president though, it soon became clear at least one Russian was paying attention. The scene, with Putin seemingly poking fun at the American dignitary, it became the newsreel of the day. Speculation still reverberates on what was in that briefcase, but the real signs point to one big win for Putin, and a last ditch battle over Europe for the Americans.
“Today, when I saw you coming down from the plane and carrying your effects, I got a little upset. On the one hand, it is very democratic; on the other, I think: things are really bad in the U.S., there is no one even to help the secretary of state carry his briefcase.” – President Vladimir PutinThinking like a true Russian, at least doing my best impression of one, I can decipher what Vladimir Putin conveyed in those few seconds we all saw via RT (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6XjqvlbDfg). First of all, he was delighted. Seldom has the Russian president seen in such a jovial mode of late, so whatever he and Kerry were really meeting about was a very positively charged subject, the meet-up was on the subject of another win for Putin, beyond a shadow of a doubt. Compromise from the United States of America was the sparkle in Vladimir’s eye, and in Sergey Lavrov’s honest grin as he sat next to his boss. Even Kerry seemed to have lost a monkey off his square shoulders, all this was so readily apparent. So what was the big secret, what kind of state treasure could have been carried in that satchel? We saw it lying open and empty later on, via a press photo…“I think you’ll be surprised, pleasantly,” Kerry said. Here’s what I believe was in the briefcase. A big fat dossier that was too sensitive to be sent digitally, too important for anybody but Kerry to touch, too valuable for anything but a hand-to-hand pass-off, between America and Russia.Fast forward 5 days to March 29th, 2016. The United States State Department and the Pentagon announced the withdrawal of virtually all family members of U.S. troops and diplomats from its installations in Turkey. This is a NATO nation, if I may remind.On the same day Russia’s FSB (Federal Security Service) announced via RIA Novosti, the arrest of 18 Uzbekistan nationals as suspected terrorists, who were carrying fake Turkish passports. March 29th, in a move out of propagandist character, The New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2016/03/29/does-turkey-still-belong-in-nato/turkey-has-been-reckless-repressive-and-unreliable) runs an article titled, “Turkey Has Been Reckless, Repressive, and Unreliable. The newspaper more anti-Russian than most ousted Russian oligarchs questions whether or not Turkey even belongs in NATO. Turkish President Recep Erdogan is in Washington, and is not even acquitted an audience with Obama. Instead, Vice President Joe Biden gives Erdogan his marching orders (I believe). Sold out Brit news source, BBC mirrors (http://www.bbc.com/news/explainers-35882201) the new divide on the same day. March 30th, a three-person Russian military delegation met Turkish counterpart at the Marine Amphibious Brigade Command in Foça, İzmir. On Thursday, March 31st, the Turkish ultranationalist Alparslan Celik, who bragged about killing the pilot of a Russian Su-24 bomber downed by the Turkish Air Force, was detained by Turkish authorities. The same day, Turkey’s PM told reporters the EU-Turkey refugee deal will go into effect. April 1st, Fox News attempts (http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/04/01/embattled-erdogan-visits-us-as-mysterious-nemesis-watches-from-compound-in-pa-mountains.html) to play the unbiased voice of the people again, bringing out into the open the powerful cleric exiled to America, Fethullah Gulen. At the same moment Turkey is on the hot seat, Fox sets up Recep Erdogan at this crisis point – pay attention to Gulen’s name in the months to come in headlines. Today a vote in Holland and NATO news of tanks, tanks, and more tanks in Europe tell us Putin and Russia won Syria and the Middle East mess, and that the hegemony Obama has led has one last stronghold – the battleground in Eastern Europe. There can be little doubt Kerry discussed with Putin and Lavrov the situation in Ukraine, and the Dutch vote for ratifying the referendum on the Ukraine–EU Association Agreement is scheduled for April 6. The mixed signals, the reversals of opinion, the saber rattling from NATO commanders over increased deployments to “counter” some invisible Russian threat, the western leadership is in disarray apparently.Mark Rutte, the Prime Minister of Netherlands now says Ukraine should never be part of the EU. Meanwhile the vote outcome is predicted in between a “too close to call” (if you live in Kiev) and a resolute “NO” if you live in Holland. Outsiders almost all question how Turkey and a regime that supports terrorism can be out of EU membership contention now, with another US proxy war state, one everyone knows for harboring fascists and Nazis, is still being considered? One plausible explanation for the seeming détente meltdown is a forced march in retreat to fort Europa by former Obama allies.As Syrian President Assad’s forces run ISIL to ground with the help of Russia’s military prowess, American President Barack Obama seems to be in some kind of hiding until his term ends. The political swamp European legislators are sucked down into, it only gets muddier as time goes by. The situation in Europe is a bit like a runaway wagon with no driver. The Pentagon is laying out plans for vastly increased capability in Eastern Europe, and the Russians are forced to counter, world diplomacy is in the biggest mess in decades. Russia’s Permanent Representative to NATO Alexander Grushko told Rossiya 24 TV on Wednesday:
“We are not passive observers, we consistently take all the military measures we consider necessary in order to counterbalance this reinforced presence that is not justified by anything. Certainly, we’ll respond totally asymmetrically.” Rupert Murdoch’s Wall Street Journal (http://www.wsj.com/articles/pentagon-readies-more-robust-u-s-military-presence-in-eastern-europe-1459324801) terms the new arms buildup a “robust” US military presence, citing news from the Pentagon that those war hawks have run up plans to position American troops, tanks and other armored vehicles full time along NATO’s eastern borders, to ostensibly deter Russian aggression.” Meanwhile, The New Yorker Magazine desperately tries to portray Barack Obama as some kind of El Libertado, for the same Cuban people who considered him a fiendish joke In Havana. While the worst failure of an American leader in history does a curtain call vacation tour, Europe is ripped asunder by the aftermath of proxy wars and CIA insurgencies. And in Argentina, the soon to be private citizen tangoed with a former Playboy bunny, Mora Godoy. I include these tidbits to cement the obviously paranoiac situation we face. America is about to elect one psychopath or the other, to replace the current craziness, Merkel is targeted (http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/657276/ISIS-Islamic-State-target-Angela-Merkel-calls-German-muslims-Deash-attack-chancellor) by ISIL, and French President Francois Hollande can only scheme to make terrorists anything but French. Europe is in tatters, this is the point.Inside the mysterious satchel John Kerry hand delivered to Putin, were files relating to Turkey operatives and leadership involved in the regional terror. More specifically, the case probably contained the names, missions, and locations of the terrorists in Moscow, and who is ultimately behind ISIL. While no one but Putin and Kerry, plus the few close aides present can truly know the contents of the brown briefcase, it’s safe to conclude a picture of Recep Erdogan being thrown under a bus may have been included. Turkey is in full stop, U-turn mode. Erdogan has no moves left, if he wants to survive that is.So, if Erdogan is NATO’s sacrificial lamb, it’s only of his own doing. The “win” for Putin does not mean the new Cold War is over, not by any means. TIME Magazine (http://time.com/4276525/vladimir-putin-nato/) and the other corporate owned media are still in anti-Putin mode. The briefcase simply contained the winner’s trophy for a failed American bid for Syria and the Middle East. Europe is, after all, a more pivotal Cold War II chip. And for those disbelieving, read the news that the Vladivostok to Lisbon (https://www.rt.com/op-edge/337743-italy-russia-cooperation-terrorism/) imperative is alive and well. The war now is almost totally about Europe, the ally Washington and London cannot afford to lose. The question is, can anyone really save the EU from disintegration? It’s certain Petro Poroshenko and the Kiev junta won’t help the situation. Ukraine really should pay attention though, lest John Kerry deliver another briefcase with Poroshenko/oligarch files in it.Phil Butler, is a policy investigator and analyst, a political scientist and expert on Eastern Europe, exclusively for the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook” (http://journal-neo.org/).
http://journal-neo.org/2016/04/03/the-cloak-and-dagger-inside-the-kerry-briefcase/

mick silver

3rd April 2016, 06:08 AM

‘Europe needs Russia: Terrorism has invaded our very homes & sanctions are insane’ Published time: 30 Mar, 2016 12:40
Get short URL (http://on.rt.com/78lr)

https://cdn.rt.com/files/2016.03/original/56fbbf84c36188e87b8b456b.jpg
Russian President Vladimir Putin © Georges Gobet / AFP

European trade relations with countries like Saudi Arabia and Turkey, which are playing a double game, are more important than defeating terrorism, says Italian deputy Alessandro Di Battista from the Movimento 5 Stelle (M5S) party.
The deputy from the Euro-skeptic M5S party which has 109 deputies out of 630 in the lower house of the Italian parliament, expressed anger that little information is available on the financing of Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL).
“They say they do not know exactly how the funding of terrorists from ISIS is carried out. Isn’t it possible for us in 2016 to find this information with all the modern technology? Is it acceptable or is it a gross mockery of common sense,” he asked.
Di Battista pointed to trade between the European Union and some of its more questionable partners as a reason that answers to such questions are not made public.
“It is obvious that many people are aware of how (the terrorists) receive weapons and money, and (who) buys the oil. However, the trade relations of European countries, including Italy, with countries like Saudi Arabia or Turkey, which are leading their double games, are more important than defeating terrorism.”
“I think we should ‘pull the plug’ on terrorism,” he emphasized.
Without mentioning the United States by name, Di Battista criticized the results of the so-called ‘war on terror’ in which “many unjust wars were unleashed.”
“Since the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, almost $4.4 trillion has been spent on fighting terrorism… And as a result today we are witnessing the expansion of terrorism, the increasing threat of terrorist attacks: terrorism is becoming more organized,” he stated incredulously.
And as the continent deals with the aftermath of yet another deadly terrorist attack, this one in Brussels, at the very heart of the European Union, the Italian lawmaker said the war is not in Afghanistan, Iraq or Libya, but rather “the war is in our home and its name is terrorism.”
Read more
https://img.rt.com/files/2016.03/thumbnail/56ebe0bbc3618842778b4595.jpgRussia, Europe must cooperate or will waste their future - Romano Prodi to RT (https://www.rt.com/news/336088-romano-prodi-interview-rt/)
His method for effectively confronting this global scourge was straightforward: Cooperate with Russia.
“Cooperation with Russia gives us, the Europeans, the opportunity to provide greater security in Europe and all over the world by means of special services,” he said.
The conversation then moved to comments by US Secretary of State John Kerry, who said last week that if the Minsk agreements are executed “the US will lift sanctions against Russia.”
When asked to what extent we should place faith in such pronouncements, Di Battista slammed the sanctions regime against Russia, calling them “insane” and implemented to help the US economy.
The Italian parliamentarian said the sanctions were based on US logic, which demanded: "Now we are going to suspend or at least weaken trade relations between the European Union and the Russian Federation, therefore the market share which previously belonged to Russia will be ours.”
He went on to emphasize the sanctions actually hurt European producers far more than they did Russia, while, at the same time, destroying cooperation against the common threat of terrorism.
“So I believe that these sanctions had a more negative impact on Italy, France and other EU countries than on Russia itself,” Di Battista said. “These are completely senseless measures that spoiled diplomatic and economic relations with the Russian Federation that are really necessary to counter the common and very real threat of terrorism at the moment.”
He concluded by mentioning problems related specifically to Italy, especially in some southern regions of the country “where high investment in agriculture is especially needed because the unemployment rate among young people is about 60 percent.”

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of RT.

Kally1

3rd April 2016, 01:32 PM

everywhere this russia

mick silver

5th April 2016, 08:16 AM

In Syria, Militias Armed by the Pentagon Fight Those Armed by the CIASource: Military.com (http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/03/28/in-syria-militias-armed-by-the-pentagon-fight-those-armed-cia.html)

REPORTING FROM AMMAN, Jordan -- Syrian militias armed by different parts of the U.S. war machine have begun to fight each other on the plains between the besieged city of Aleppo and the Turkish border, highlighting how little control U.S. intelligence officers and military planners have over the groups they have financed and trained in the bitter five-year-old civil war.
The fighting has intensified over the last two months, as CIA-armed units and Pentagon-armed ones have repeatedly shot at each other while maneuvering through contested territory on the northern outskirts of Aleppo, U.S. officials and rebel leaders have confirmed.
In mid-February, a CIA-armed militia called Fursan al Haq, or Knights of Righteousness, was run out of the town of Marea, about 20 miles north of Aleppo, by Pentagon-backed Syrian Democratic Forces moving in from Kurdish-controlled areas to the east.
"Any faction that attacks us, regardless from where it gets its support, we will fight it," Maj. Fares Bayoush, a leader of Fursan al Haq, said in an interview.
Rebel fighters described similar clashes in the town of Azaz, a key transit point for fighters and supplies between Aleppo and the Turkish border, and on March 3 in the Aleppo neighborhood of Sheikh Maqsud.
The attacks by one U.S.-backed group against another come amid continued heavy fighting in Syria and illustrate the difficulty facing U.S. efforts to coordinate among dozens of armed groups that are trying to overthrow the government of President Bashar Assad, fight the Islamic State militant group and battle one another all at the same time.
"It is an enormous challenge," said Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank), the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, who described the clashes between U.S.-supported groups as "a fairly new phenomenon."
"It is part of the three-dimensional chess that is the Syrian battlefield," he said.
The area in northern Syria around Aleppo, the country's second-largest city, features not only a war between the Assad government and its opponents, but also periodic battles against Islamic State militants, who control much of eastern Syria and also some territory to the northwest of the city, and long-standing tensions among the ethnic groups that inhabit the area, Arabs, Kurds and Turkmen.
Read More... (http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/03/28/in-syria-militias-armed-by-the-pentagon-fight-those-armed-cia.html)
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mick silver

7th April 2016, 05:47 PM

» Syria: US Special Forces & Rebel Proxies Designed to Outflank Putin and Assad in Fight Against ISIS (http://stopimperialism.org/syria-us-special-forces-rebel-proxies-designed-outflank-putin-assad-fight-isis/)April 5, 2016 at 3:24 PM

Syria: US Special Forces & Rebel Proxies Designed to Outflank Putin and Assad in Fight Against ISIS

Syria: US Special Forces & Rebel Proxies Designed to Outflank Putin and Assad in Fight Against ISIS

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http://img.youtube.com/vi/KBSvaadjYwc/sddefault.jpg

Stop
6:17 Eric Draitser 05 Apr 2016 Views: 634

Syria: US Special Forces & Rebel Proxies Designed to Outflank Putin and Assad in Fight Against ISIS

Eric Draitser of http://StopImperialism.org provides his commentary (April 2, 2016) on the news that the US is deploying large numbers of Special Forces to Syria, along with a new program to train and equip anti-Assad rebels. Draitser explains that the US intends to fill the void created by the destruciton of much of the Isalmic State’s capabilities, both by the combined Russian-Syrian assaults, and by US airstrikes. He notes that the moves by Washington and strategic in nature, and that they’re part of the broader proxy war with Russia.

mick silver

9th April 2016, 03:30 PM

US Air Force deploys B-52 bombers in Middle East to combat Islamic StateSource: Fox News (http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/04/09/us-air-force-deploys-b-52-bombers-in-middle-east-to-combat-islamic-state.html)

The U.S. Air Force Central Command said in a statement that an unknown number of B-52s will be based at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. The U.S.-led coalition’s Combined Air and Space Operations Center (CAOC) responsible for running the air war against ISIS is also based there.
“The B-52 will provide the Coalition continued precision and deliver desired airpower effects,” said Lt. Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., commander, U.S. Air Forces Central Command and Combined Forces Air Component.
Lt. Brown also indicated the B-52 bombers could be ready to bomb elsewhere in the Middle East should the need arise.
Read more (http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/04/09/us-air-force-deploys-b-52-bombers-in-middle-east-to-combat-islamic-state.html)

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mick silver

9th April 2016, 03:31 PM

The announcement comes a day after Secretary of State John Kerry vowed to "turn up the pressure further" against ISIS during an unannounced visit to Baghdad Friday to meet with Iraqi's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi as well as Kurdish and Sunni leaders.
The U.S. Air Force pulled its B-1 bombers in February and sent them back to the U.S. for maintenance. At the time, senior U.S. military leaders said there would be no capability gap.
But the number of bombs dropped on ISIS fell to an eight-month low in February, according to statistics published by the U.S. Air Force.
Despite flying only 7 percent of strike missions against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, B-1s dropped nearly 40 percent of all the bombs. In addition to carrying many more bombs than USAF fighter jets, the B-1 could loiter over the battlefield for up to 10 hours at a time. It can fly at supersonic speeds meaning it can be anywhere over Iraq and Syria in minutes.
For months, senior Air Force leaders have wanted the aging B-52 to take the place of the B-1s.
B-52s are not supersonic like the B-1s, but they also have long legs and can also loiter over the battlefield for nearly 12 hours and carry over a dozen precision guided bombs or up to 50 500-pound bombs. It can also carry nuclear weapons.
The first B-52s were built over 60 years ago during the Eisenhower administration. Despite two generations of bombers built since, B-52s still constitute the bulk of the US Air Force's long-range bomber fleet. They are based in Louisiana and North Dakota.
It's replacement is not due out until 2040.

mick silver

9th April 2016, 03:47 PM

Syria - As Rebels Break Ceasefire Army Gathers For New CampaignThe ceasefire in Syria held for some five weeks but is now about to end. During the ceasefire Russia reduced its forces in Syria and the Syrian Arab Army made significant progress against the Islamic State. But the opposition and their sponsors abused the ceasefire to rearm. They prepared and executed new attacks against the Syrian government and Syrian civilians.
The sponsors of the opposition, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the U.S. delivered (http://www.moonofalabama.org/2016/03/how-the-us-continues-to-arm-al-qaeda.html) new arms and munition to the "moderate" opposition. It is known that up to half of all supplies the "moderates" receive is inevitably delivered to al-Qaeda in Syria. The sponsors also broke a long-standing taboo and introduced portable anti-air missiles (MANPADs) onto the battle field. Several fighters of the U.S. and Turkey supported Al Hamza brigade posted pictures (https://twitter.com/bm27_uragan/status/717039180216459265) showing off their new toys. The U.S. claims that these fighters are supposed to only fight the Islamic State. But the Islamic State has no aircraft and these weapons are clearly to be used against the Syrian government and its supporters.
Today Ahrar al-Sham, a Salafist group near to al-Qaeda, downed (http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2016/04/05/Syrian-rebels-shoot-down-war-plane-near-Aleppo-.html) (video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe00zV2F1oo&feature=youtu.be)) a Syrian Su-22 ground-attack plane with a MANPAD near the city of Tal Eis, south of Aleppo city. The pilot, Lt. Col Musad Zayed Hirani, was taken prisoner by al-Qaeda (https://t.co/Arqj5nme6V) in Syria (Jabhat al Nusra). This incident shows that MANPADs immediately proliferate on the battle field and beyond and may soon be used against civilian planes in the Middle East and around the world.
Also today "moderate" rebels launched (https://twitter.com/mutludc/status/717300782333296640) improvised artillery attacks on the mostly Kurdish Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood in the government held parts of Aleppo city. At least 17 civilians were killed and more than 50 were wounded.
The "moderate" opposition in Syria which is receiving official U.S. support is not willing (http://www.thenational.ae/world/middle-east/syrian-opposition-groups-divided-over-jabhat-al-nusra#full) to distance itself from al-Qaeda:

“We absolutely do not agree with Jabhat Al Nusra. We do not want Jabhat Al Nusra’s ideology to be in Syria now or in the future. But we need fighters who will fight with us against the regime," said Zakaria Malahefji, a political officer with Fastaqim Kama Umrit, a coalition of rebel groups in the city of Aleppo.
...
“Jabhat Al Nusra are our brothers," said Hajj Bakri, a rebel leader in Hama. “We have no problem with them."
...
“Our relationship with Jabhat Al Nusra is good and there is a collaboration with Jabhat Al Nusra in military operations and security responsibilities," said Abu Zeid, a commander with the hardline Salafi militia Ahrar Al Sham in north-western Syria’s Akrad Mountains. As one of the most powerful rebel factions in the war, Ahrar Al Sham is Al Nusra’s most important single ally.Al-Qaeda in Syria was, like the Islamic State, not part of the ceasefire agreement. The U.S. officially regards (http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Transcripts/Transcript-View/Article/713174/department-of-defense-press-briefing-by-pentagon-press-secretary-peter-cook-in) al-Qaeda in Syria as a terrorist entity and enemy. Al-Qaeda has zero interest in any negotiated peace and is therefore doing its best to sabotage it. During the last weeks it succeeded in convincing the "moderates" to join it (http://www.mei.edu/content/article/monday-briefing-erdogans-failed-washington-trip-updates-syria-iraq-saudis-egypt-visit) in renewed fighting:

Faced by an internationally-mediated cessation of hostilities that threatened to irreversibly erode its influence, Nusra had begun in mid-March a process of talks inside Syria aimed at convincing opposition groups to resume their fight against the regime. As such, the last 48 hours of opposition advances south of Aleppo represent a victory for al-Qaeda in its efforts to undermine the political process and to put back in place conditions more amenable to its long game strategy for Syria.On Saturday several U.S. supported "moderate" rebel groups joined (http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2016/04/02/world/middleeast/ap-ml-syria.html?_r=0) al-Qaeda in an attack on the government held city of Tal Eis in the south Aleppo countryside:

Syria's partial cease-fire appeared to be unraveling Saturday as fierce fighting between government forces and opposition fighters, including members of the al-Qaida affiliated Nusra Front, erupted outside the country's second largest city of Aleppo and other parts in the country's north. At least 25 pro-government and 16 opposition fighters died in the clashes south of Aleppo, where the Nusra Front and rebel militias captured a village overlooking a major highway, a Britain-based monitoring group told The Associated Press.
...
A number of groups — including some nominally party to the truce agreement — acknowledged on social media that they were battling government forces.
The Islam Army, whose political coordinator heads the opposition delegation during halting peace talks in Geneva, announced it had killed 20 government soldiers in fighting outside Damascus Friday. It announced Saturday it was also fighting in the south Aleppo countryside, though the group is not known to have a major presence there.
It is obvious now that the "moderate" rebels have broken the ceasefire and are openly in full cooperation with al-Qaeda.
Unless the opposition sponsors manage to immediately reign in their proxies, all out war in Syria will soon be back. The Syrian government and its allies are now mobilizing more forces (https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-mobilizes-men-restart-southern-aleppo-operations/) to regain the lost areas in the southern Aleppo country side. For the first time 'advisors' of the regular Iranian army (not the Revolutionary Guard) will take part in the fighting. The Russian air force is likely to reintroduce some parts of its Syria contingent that had been withdrawn.
The Russian side had agreed with the U.S. to stop the fighting and to take the political walk through negotiations in Geneva. This decision was made against the wishes of the Syrian government and its Iranian allies. They would have preferred to at least free Aleppo city of all opposition forces before any talks.
But even if the ceasefire now breaks down the Russian move was valuable. It showed that it is able to hold its allies to a ceasefire when promised. It also demonstrated that the U.S. side is either not able, or not willing to implement and keep a ceasefire but abuses such period to rearm its proxies for new fighting.
The coming Syrian government campaign, with full support of its allies, will likely be at a more intense level than its last offensive. That attack had the rebels on the run, defeated and in parts fleeing the battle field when it was stopped by the ceasefire agreement. The coming attack will be more intense and will not stop until the opposition has taken very significant damage.
Today the Syrian army issued a statement (https://twitter.com/Souria4Syrians/status/717270550163431424/photo/1) asking all civilians to leave the areas held by the opposition within the next 48 hours. It promises that the new campaign will "give a lesson" to al-Qaeda and its followers.

Posted by b at 10:14 AM (http://www.moonofalabama.org/2016/04/syria-as-rebels-break-ceasefire-army-gathers-for-new-campaign.html) | Comments (98) (http://www.moonofalabama.org/2016/04/syria-as-rebels-break-ceasefire-army-gathers-for-new-campaign.html#comments)

mick silver

16th April 2016, 10:57 AM

Rocket strikes in Kabul intended for John Kerry, Taliban say
http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/10/politics/kerry-afghanistan-taliban-rockets/index.html

mick silver

18th May 2016, 07:30 PM

The imminent return of Russian planes to Syria

By Ian Greenhalgh (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/iangreenhalgh/) on May 17, 2016
Although Russia had decided to withdraw its bombers from Syria after the ceasefire concluded with the United States, it is now obliged to return to the battlefield, because Washington - in violation of its engagements – has continued to deliver sophisticated weapons to the jihadists, including Al-Qaïda and Daesh. The aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov should be deployed in July.
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/GovZjfb-640x427.jpg (http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/GovZjfb.jpg)Admiral Kuznetzov under way at sea.

Today I also reported on the supplying of advanced missiles and other weapons to the bad guys in the Syrian conflict by the Saudis and their gulf allies, weapons sold to them by the US and Europe.It is largely this development, which will have the effect of continuing and prolonging the conflict, regardless of the ceasefire talks between Kerry and Lavrov that has most likely prompted the Russians to send their aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean where it can directly intervene in the Syrian battles.Quite why they have chosen to send the navy this time rather than the air force is unknown, but the smaller MiGs of the Kuznetzov’s air wing will doubtless prove to be as effective as their bigger Sukhoi cousins were previously as they carry the same weapons and employ the same avionics and guidance systems.

__________by Valentin Vasilescu, Voltairenet
The imminent return of Russian planes to Syria (http://www.voltairenet.org/article191789.html)
Although Russia does not possess fifth generation warplanes, its bombers were particularly effective during their six-month campaign in Syria.
However, after Russia and the United States agreed to a ceasefire from the 27th February 2016, President Vladimir Putin ordered the withdrawal of forty-six of the fifty-four or fifty-six Su-24, Su-25, Su-30, Su-34 and Su-35 deployed at the Khmeimim airbase. The withdrawal was ill-advised. Indeed, in violation of their engagements, the United States have continued to deliver sophisticated weaponry to the jihadists, including combatants from Al-Qaeda and Daesh [1]. As a result, after the liberation of Palmyra, the Syrian Arab Army was unable to pursue its offensive against the Islamic State in Al-Raqqah and Deir ez-Zor [2], and suffered heavy losses in fighting against the Al-Nusra Front (a branch of Al-Qaïda in Syria) in the region of Aleppo.
Besides that, in the space of one month, the Syrian aviation lost three combat planes (MiG-21, MiG-23 and Su-22), shot down in the north of Syria by Islamists using portable ground-to-air missile-launchers which had been introduced into the country in large quantities after the effective date of the ceasefire. This is why the Syrian Air Force does not attack more than 10 Islamist targets per day, which is insufficient when dealing with ground troops. The Syrian Arab Army finds itself in a delicate situation, and yet the Russian Army was constrained by the order from President Putin to withdraw the bombers from Syria, for budgetary and economic reasons. In addition, it seems that the proposition by the Commander of the Russian Air Forces, General Viktor Bondarev – to test the new Yak-130 light attack/training fighters in Syria on ground attack missions – has not been accepted by the Kremlin [3].
The only option which has met with approval is the deployment of the aircraft-carrier Admiral Kuznetsov in the Mediterraean, near the Syrian coast. The problem is that this aircraft-carrier entered a phase of repair and modernisation in 2015, in the Sevmash shipyards at Severodvinsk, and was scheduled to return to active duty only at the end of 2016. The modernisation involves adapting the aircraft-carrier to make it capable of functioning with the new MiG-29 K/KUB, instead of the old Su-33. The carrier pilots trained last year with the MiG-29 K/KUB for take-off and landing on specially-built strips (Nitka) which reproduce the decks of the aircraft-carrier, at Saki (Yevpatoriya – vestul Crimeii) and Yeisk (on the coast of the Sea of Azov).
The aircraft-carrier Admiral Kuznetsov (Projet 1143) is driven by gas turbines, has a displacement of 65,000 tonnes, and was launched in December 1990 at naval shipyard n° 444 South at Nikolaev, which was then in the Soviet Republic of Ukraine. It was built to carry between 52 to 55 planes and helicopters. The Admiral Kuznetsov is armed with eight AK-630-type AA artillery systems (2x30mm), eighteen 3K95 Kinzhal-type AA missile launchers, twelve ship-to-ship P-700 Granit missile launchers (range of 620 km, speed Mach 2,5) and two UDAW-1 anti-submarine missile launchers.
The Minister of Defence for the Russian Federation has declared that the completion of repairs for the aircraft-carrier has been advanced to the 1st July 2016. This is why it will not carry only MiG-29 K/KUB, but will also keep some Su-33. Its new configuration will include twelve Su-33 multi-role aircraft, twenty-eight multi-role MiG 29 K/KUB, four Su-25UTG/UBP training and ground attack planes, and eight Ka-27 anti-submarine combat helicopters.
The Su-33 and MiG-29 K/KUB taking off from the aircraft-carrier will only be armed with 30% to 40% of their potential maximum load of arms and fuel (6-9 tonnes). However, this restriction will not prevent them from having the same effect on their targets as the Su-24 and Su-34 bombers which operated in Syria. The Su-24 and Su-34 were each armed with two 250 kg KAB-250 S/LG bombs or two 500 kg KAB-500 L/Kr or KAB-1500 L/Kr bombs, all guided by laser, camera or GPS, or two Kh-29 L/T and Kh-25T-type air-ground missiles, guided by laser or camera. Conceived for hunting missions, the Su-33 and MiG-29 K/KUB will also carry short and medium-range air-air missiles.
The small Russian aircraft-carrier is enough to damage the jihadists operating in Syria, who would be unable to fight back, and would have the same effect as one of the 11 nuclear-powered US aircraft-carriers which have a displacement of more than 100,000 tonnes, with more than seventy-eight planes on board (F/A-18E/F, EA-18G, E-2), and twelve SH-60F helicopters. The Admiral Kuznetsov is not the only aircraft-carrier which can operate with the MiG-29 K/KUB. The old Russian aircraft-carrier Admiral Gorskov, with a displacement of 43,000 tonnes, was rebuilt and modernised in the shipyards of Severodvinsk, and was endowed to the Indian Navy in 2014 under the name of Vikramaditya. It carries only thirty-six planes – twenty-six 26 MiG-29 K/KUB and ten Kamov Ka-28/31 helicopters.

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&amp;nbsp;

mick silver

18th May 2016, 07:43 PM

Russia Debunks AP Report about New Russian Military Base in SyriaMedia Ethics (http://nsnbc.me/tag/media-ethics/)Moscow (http://nsnbc.me/tag/moscow/)Palmyra (http://nsnbc.me/tag/palmyra/)Russia (http://nsnbc.me/tag/russia/)Russia - Syria Relations (http://nsnbc.me/tag/russia-syria-relations/)Syria (http://nsnbc.me/tag/syria/)UNESCO (http://nsnbc.me/tag/unesco/)

Christof Lehmann (nsnbc) : The Russian Ministry of Defense debunked an Associated Press report that claims Russia establishes a new military base in Palmyra, Syria. Images about the UNESCO World Heritage Site and surroundings show an intermediate camp for Russian military personnel that helped clearing mines at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, noted Defense Minister Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov.http://nsnbc.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Russian-troops-in-Palmyra-Syria_2016_Valery-Sharifulin_TASS-300x192.jpg (http://nsnbc.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Russian-troops-in-Palmyra-Syria_2016_Valery-Sharifulin_TASS.jpg)Photo courtesy Valery Sharifulin, Tass.

Russian Defense Minister Maj. General Igor Konashenkov stressed that media claims based on an Associated Press (AP) report about a new Russian military base in Palmyra, Syria were wrong. Moreover, Konashenkov added, Russia does not need any new bases in Syria. Konashenkov noted that the AP report cited a U.S.’ cultural heritage protection organization as source for the claims that Russia was establishing a new military base in Palmyra, near the UNESCO World Heritage site.The city of Palmyra and the UNESCO World Heritage site was liberated from the self-proclaimed Islamic State (a.k.a. ISIS, ISIL or Daesh) in March 2016 (http://nsnbc.me/2016/03/27/syrian-army-established-full-control-over-palmyra-unesco-to-inspect-world-heritage-site/). Russian air forces and special forces participated in the liberation of the city.After the city was recaptured, Russia deployed engineer troops to help remove mines, improvised explosive devices and other hazards that were left behind by the fleeing ISIL troops in the city, in the ruins of the World Heritage site, Palmyra’s Airport, and the surrounding region (http://nsnbc.me/2016/03/28/russia-sends-army-engineers-and-robots-to-syria-to-clear-landmines-in-palmyra/).UNESCO explicitly expressed its gratitude for enabling UNESCO’s and others’ experts to assess the damage that had been done to the site by ISIL. Konashenkov commented on the AP report and associated claims about a new military base, saying:
“There have been no and are no ‘new Russian bases’ on the territory of Syria’s Palmyra. The satellite photographs of the area’s territory, published by UNESCO and mentioned by the agency… feature a temporary camp of units of the International Anti-Mine Center of Russia’s Armed Forces, which earlier engaged in mine clearing in the historical part of Palmyra, and today [engage in mine clearing] in the locality of Tadmur. … The deployment of the temporary camp until the end of the mine clearing effort has been agreed with the Culture Ministry and other state institutions of the Syrian Arab Republic.”http://nsnbc.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Palmyra_UNESCO_prior-to-desruction-by-ISIL-300x159.jpg (http://nsnbc.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Palmyra_UNESCO_prior-to-desruction-by-ISIL.jpg)Konashenkov went into details about the temporary camp, saying that it included accommodation modules, a field hospital where aid is provided to local residents, as well as a field bakery whose products are also handed out to Syrians.Konashenkov also commented on Russia’s cultural contribution after the liberation of the city and the UNESCO World Heritage Site, saying:
“I want to note that the temporary camp of military engineers, the hospital and the bakery constitute no secret. More than 150 journalists of leading foreign media got familiarized with their work and made journalistic stories from there during the latest press tour on May 5, when Palmyra hosted a concert of Maestro Valery Gergiyev with the Mariinsky Theater orchestra. … Besides, I will recall that jointly with foreign journalists, a numerous group of international UNESCO experts who flew to attend the concert visited the camp.”http://nsnbc.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Palmyra-Tadmour_Syria_SANA-300x150.jpg (http://nsnbc.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Palmyra-Tadmour_Syria_SANA.jpg)Photo courtesy SANA

Konashenkov also added that Associated Press representatives had been invited to the press tour on May 5 but that they for unknown reasons refused to take part in it then. He added:
“I believe that if journalists of the influential agency had personally visited Palmyra then and that temporary camp, today there would be no ‘pseudo-sensation’, invented by them, on construction by Russians of a ‘new base in Palmyra.”The Russian Defense Minister also noted that Russia does not need another base in Syria, saying that it was neither needed, expedient or even economical. Konashenkov stressed that the Hmeinim Air Base was fully sufficient and that Russian air forces could reach any point in Syria from there.Moreover, he added, that the Hmeinim air base is fully self-reliant and that there’s no need for auxiliary bases. All crucial supplies such as fuel, ammunition or other items are delivered from Russia. Planes and helicopters undergo maintenance and repair work there too, he added.What the Associated Press and spin-off articles based on the AP report failed to mention was that Russia operates legally in Syria. That is, in compliance with international law and authorized by the government of the Syrian Arab Republic. This means that even if Russia was establishing an additional base in Syria it would, in comparison to many other countries who engage militarily in Syria, be “legal”.CH/L – nsnbc 18.05.2016Share:

mick silver

18th May 2016, 07:52 PM

Russia – USA issue Joint Statement about SyriaShare ThisRussia - Syria Relations (http://nsnbc.me/tag/russia-syria-relations/)Russia - USA Relations (http://nsnbc.me/tag/russia-usa-relations/)Syria (http://nsnbc.me/tag/syria/)Syria - USA Relations (http://nsnbc.me/tag/syria-usa-relations/)

nsnbc : The Russian Federation and the United States of America, as co-chairs of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG), issued a joint statement about the situation in Syria and the need for ending hostilities and finding a political settlement.http://nsnbc.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Aleppo_Syria_SCF_2016-300x179.jpg (http://nsnbc.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Aleppo_Syria_SCF_2016.jpg)Moscow and Washington announced that both recognize the progress that has been made with respect to the cessation of hostilities (CoH) in Syria, in accordance with their Joint Statement of February 22, 2016, and in improving humanitarian access. The statement underpins that the parties believe that their joint efforts have brought about a significant decrease in violence in the areas of North Latakia and East Ghouta.However, Russia and the USA also recognize the difficulties faced by the cessation of hostilities (CoH) in several areas of the country, especially in the recent period, as well as remaining problems in ensuring humanitarian access to the besieged areas. As a result, they have decided to reconfirm our commitment to the CoH in Syria and to intensify efforts to ensure its nation-wide implementation. We also intend to enhance efforts to promote humanitarian assistance to all people in need in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254.Cessation of HostilitiesThe co-chairs re-affirmed their commitment to the nationwide CoH that went into effect on February 27 across Syria. Washington and Moscow announced that the that they have decided to pursue the following measures to reinvigorate it:

Recognizing challenges related to the CoH in certain areas the co-chairs have re-emphasized the terms of the COH with field commanders on all sides, especially in Aleppo, Eastern Ghouta, and Latakia, where we are determined to improve and sustain the CoH. We are using our influence with the CoH parties on the ground to press them to abide by the COH, refrain from disproportionate responses to provocations and demonstrate restraint.
We demand that parties cease any indiscriminate attacks on civilians, including civilian infrastructure and medical facilities. Where attacks leading to significant civilian casualties are reported to have occurred, the co-chairs are committed to undertaking, within existing channels of interaction in Geneva, the region, and capitals, a joint assessment and to sharing the results with the members of the ISSG Ceasefire Task Force and, through the UN Special Envoy for Syria, to the UN Security Council.
The Russian Federation will work with the Syrian authorities to minimize aviation operations over areas that are predominantly inhabited by civilians or parties to the cessation.
The co-chairs are urging all states to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 2253 (December 17, 2015) by preventing any material or financial support to ISIL, the al Nusra Front, as well as any other groups designated as terrorist organizations by the United Nations Security Council, and to prevent attempts by such groups to cross the Syrian border. To that end, the United States is committed to intensifying its support and assistance to regional allies to help them prevent the flow of fighters, weapons, or financial support to terrorist organizations across their borders.
In order to maintain the effectiveness of the CoH, the co-chairs are committed to undertaking efforts to develop a shared understanding of the threat posed, and territory controlled, by ISIL and the Nusra Front, and to consider ways to deal decisively against the threat posed by ISIL and the Nusra Front to Syria and international security.

Ensuring Humanitarian AccessSince January 2016 the UN, in coordination with the ICRC and Syrian Arab Red Crescent, have taken significant steps to deliver assistance to 255,250 people in besieged areas and 472,975 people in hard-to-reach areas. However, many Syrians with urgent needs have yet to be reached, especially in besieged communities. Life-saving assistance, including certain medical supplies and personnel to ensure their proper use, have been denied to populations in need. UN assessment teams and humanitarian personnel have been barred from accessing certain besieged areas.In order to urgently deliver humanitarian aid, the Russian Federation and the United States of America are committed to pressing the parties to ensure continuous delivery of assistance to Douma, East Harasta, Arbeen, Zamalka, Darayya, Zabadin, Fouah, Kafrayah, Madaya, Zabadani, Mouadhimiyeh, Yarmouk, Ein Terma, Hammura, Jisrein, Saqba, and Kafr Batna by land, and that it continues as long as humanitarian needs persist. Deliveries by air will be continued to Deir ez Zor for approximately 110,000 people in need. In addition, Moscow and Washington reaffirm the need for continuous deliveries to all locations considered by the UN to be hard-to-reach, such as al Waer, Talbisseh, al Rastan, and Afrin. The parties also recommend that the UN consider other locations that may meet the criteria for priority designations, including Nubul, Zahra, and Hasakeh. Humanitarian access, including by medical personnel, to these most urgent areas must be a first step toward full, sustained, and unimpeded access throughout the country. As called for in UNSCR 2258, border crossings that are necessary for humanitarian relief should remain open.Humanitarian aid will be delivered based on need, with the full package of food, medical, and non-food items as decided by the UN authorized for delivery by all sides. The provision of mobile health services and evacuation of urgent medical cases should be facilitated by all sides.The co-chairs reaffirmed that all parties must allow immediate and sustained humanitarian access to reach all people in need, throughout Syria, particularly in all besieged and hard-to-reach areas, in accordance with UNSCR 2254. The co-chairs commit to immediately work together with the Syrian parties to ensure no delay in the granting of approval and completion of all pending UN requests for access in accordance with the UN’s monthly plans. The co-chairs urge all parties to effectively address the issue of detainees and hostages in accordance with UNSCR 2254, 2258, and other relevant resolutions. We also support the UN’s appeals for continued funding of the Syria Response Plan, and encourage the international community and UN to intensify efforts to meet the needs of internally displaced persons across Syria.Supporting a Political Settlement in SyriaThe Russian Federation and United States announced that they are determined to redouble efforts to reach a political settlement of the Syrian conflict consistent with UNSCR 2254 through the intra-Syrian negotiations in Geneva under UN auspices. They announced that they concur that these talks should be resumed on the basis of the Special Envoy’s mediator’s summary of April 27, in particular the annex addressing the fundamental issues for a viable transition, and the section on the commonalities on the political transition.Moscow and Washington stressed that they urge all parties to the conflict, fellow ISSG members, and other members of the international community to promote and support a political settlement in Syria through the full implementation of UN Security Council resolutions 2254 and 2268, the 2016 Munich and 2015 Vienna Statements of the ISSG, and the 2012 Geneva Communique. In this regard, the co-chairs announced that they strongly support efforts to end violence and bloodshed, counter the threat of terrorism, and ensure the implementation of international humanitarian law.F/AK – nsnbc 11.05.2016

Glass

18th May 2016, 08:03 PM

I don't get why Russia left before the job was complete. It makes no sense unless Balkanization was their goal as well.

Neuro

18th May 2016, 09:09 PM

I don't get why Russia left before the job was complete. It makes no sense unless Balkanization was their goal as well.

It was getting close to a confrontation with US allies Turkey and Saudi Arabia, which probably would have escalated to a full on WWIII. Putin didn't see the benefit of that for Russia. However Russia still have bombers and fighters in Syria, which was important in the retaking of Palmyra from ISIS.

mick silver

19th May 2016, 01:51 PM

“Now remember, when things look bad and it looks like you’re not gonna make it, then you gotta get mean, mad-dog mean. ‘Cause if you lose your head and you give up then you neither live nor win. That’s just the way it is.” ~ Outlaw Josey Wales…

mick silver

19th May 2016, 02:07 PM

Former Nato chief warns of nuclear war with Russia if there is no Baltic defence boostBy Ian Greenhalgh (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/iangreenhalgh/) on May 19, 2016
Clearly no shortage of NATO generals ready to pay lip service to the aggressive poliios of NATO
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/00-robert-ariail-protected-by-nato-160615-640x400.jpg (http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/00-robert-ariail-protected-by-nato-160615.jpg)
This is a recipe for disaster as Russia is understandably unhappy with NATO’s steady encroachment on its Western borders.
Over the past few years the Western military alliance has been relentlessly advancing ever closer to Russia. Increasing its foothold in Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia will only add to the pressure Russia feels the West is applying.
By degrees it looks as if the West is moving toward military conflict with Russia. Thing is Russia won’t be alone; it will have allies in Syria, Iran and maybe China too.
It has long been thought that the elite were conspiring for another world war; so Sir Richard Shirreff’s warning could turn out to be self-fulfilling.

__________Brendan Cole – International Business Times
Former Nato chief warns of nuclear war with Russia if there is no Baltic defence boostOne of Nato’s most senior retired generals has warned that the West risks a nuclear war with Russia within a year if it does not boost its defences in the Baltic states amid increasing tension between Moscow and the alliance.
General Sir Richard Shirreff, who served as Nato’s deputy supreme allied commander in Europe until 2014, said that the West should act to avert a “potential catastrophe” should Moscow target Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia.
He told the BBC Radio 4 programme Today on Wednesday (18 May): “The chilling fact is that because Russia hardwires nuclear thinking and capability to every aspect of their defence capability, this would be nuclear war.
“We need to judge President [Vladimir] Putin by his deeds not his words,” he added. “He has invaded Georgia, he has invaded the Crimea, he has invaded Ukraine. He has used force and got away with it.”
His comments come ahead of a release of his fictional book 2017: War with Russia and only days after an alliance missile defence system in Romania became operational.
The missile defence station at Deveselu in Romania will have SM-2 missile interceptors and will be formally merged into the Nato missile shield. Nato officials have also revealed that another facility would be ready in Poland in 2018.
In response, Russia said it would modernize a launch detection system in Crimea which would be able to detect hypersonic, ballistic and cruise missiles.
On 14 May, Putin slammed the Nato programme which US officials say will target the threat from Iran. The Russian president said: “The threat is gone, but the creation of the missile defence system is continuing.”
On 17 May, RAF typhoon jets were scrambled to intercept Russian planes over the Baltic for the second time in less than a week. The jets were initially shadowing two Su-27 Flanker fighters and an IL-20 “Coot-A” Reconnaissance aircraft close to Estonian airspace, when two more Su-27s were detected.

steyr_m

19th May 2016, 02:09 PM

It was getting close to a confrontation with US allies Turkey and Saudi Arabia, which probably would have escalated to a full on WWIII. Putin didn't see the benefit of that for Russia. However Russia still have bombers and fighters in Syria, which was important in the retaking of Palmyra from ISIS.

I also think it was a strategic move from Putin to avoid anyone [the US] saying "Russia is looking at expanding their empire" or "Russia is becoming entrenched in the M.E."

Glass

19th May 2016, 06:08 PM

I also think it was a strategic move from Putin to avoid anyone [the US] saying "Russia is looking at expanding their empire" or "Russia is becoming entrenched in the M.E."

It does mean that Syria will never be Syria again. It at best will be a smaller central region of the original country. And it will always have terrorists causing trouble to the north and west. interestingly thats the bit of land another country wants for their ultimate homeland.

Neuro

19th May 2016, 08:39 PM

It does mean that Syria will never be Syria again. It at best will be a smaller central region of the original country. And it will always have terrorists causing trouble to the north and west. interestingly thats the bit of land another country wants for their ultimate homeland.

Perhaps, who the hell knows what will happen in Syria long term (some probably do!). Syria is obviously of strategic interest to Russia, but it isn't all-important.

steyr_m

19th May 2016, 10:05 PM

It does mean that Syria will never be Syria again. It at best will be a smaller central region of the original country. And it will always have terrorists causing trouble to the north and west. interestingly thats the bit of land another country wants for their ultimate homeland.

In the short-term it looks like Syria will remain as Syria. I think Saudi Arabia is looking at a "Plan B".

Neuro

20th May 2016, 11:28 AM

Russia proposes US-led coalition to strike Syrian terrorists with Moscow – def minister
https://www.rt.com/news/343767-russia-us-coalition-syria/

Moscow suggests that the US-led coalition fighting against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria should fly joint missions with Russia in Syria, the defense minister said.

“Taking such a step would help the progress of the peace settlement in Syria. Of course such measures have been agreed with the Syrian Arab Republic. Yesterday we started negotiating these measures with our colleagues in Oman and Geneva,” Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu told journalists, referring to a US center for peace negotiations based in the Jordanian capital and the city in Switzerland, where UN-backed peace negotiations are under way.

“We suggest to the US… starting on May 25, joint action of the Russian Air Forces and the US-led coalition forces to plan and conduct strikes against the Al-Nusra Front, which does not support the ceasefire, as well as against convoys of arms and fighters crossing the Syrian-Turkish border,” he said.

He suggested that the US and Russia should redouble their efforts to have moderate rebel groups pulled out from territories controlled by the terrorists, so that those rebels wouldn’t face Russian airstrikes.

Shoigu warned that, starting from next Wednesday, Russia would feel free to use its warplanes to attack any group that failed to back the ceasefire.

“Starting May 25, we reserve the right to unilaterally conduct airstrikes against forces of the international terrorist organizations and militant groups who didn’t join the truce,” the Russian minister warned.

Read more

mick silver

21st May 2016, 04:47 AM

NATO finalizes build-up plan to counter RussiaBy Jim W. Dean, Managing Editor (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/dean/) on May 20, 2016

http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/russiaus-e1455832601201_crop2.jpgby Jim W. Dean, VT Editor (http://www.veteranstoday.com/staff-writers/) … with Press TV (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNbejZW68b8), Tehranhttp://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/VT-Front-page_Jim-Dean_NEO_Berger_Davutoglu-vs-Erdogan_008-320x139.jpgNATO is insulating itself from any public disapproval for its strategy and actions

[ Note: This NATO Russian Bear Scare has become a sad comedy, with some of the silliest propaganda that we can image being trotted out to justify the NATO expansion.The only slick part of it is that they never really justify the threat. They just repeat the charges over and over, so with no back up, we critics cannot slice and dice them on the specifics.The string for us to pull here on the involved military people is challenging them on a violation of their oath, that this process is in itself a threat to our national security, and for us to demand a debate on it out in the open where they have to put their specifics out on the table.They will not be able to justify not telling us anything due to security issues. That would be a blatant cop out. We have already published a list of the “most suspicious” claims (as politely as I can put it), and of course they were ignored. This has shown contempt towards their duty to keep the public informed, so it can perform its own duty to defend the country to the best of its ability.None of the civic organizations that should be challenging the power structure on this are doing so, due to this strange attitude of “that is not what we are about”, or “that kind of thing is not in our charter”. I have heard all the excuses. The real reason is because they know it would be controversial within their organizations and they want to avoid that at all costs. It’s not fun.The longer “they” continue with this totally unnecessary build up, the harder it will become to stop it. The public push back has been so weak that all the presidential candidates (but Bernie) were competing for military industrial complex approval, promising that they would fund it better and more quickly than their opponents. If we do not get this under control, our children are going to pay a huge price for our failure, and so will a lot of other people’s children. ]
____________– First published … May 19, 2016 –http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/VT-Front-page_Jim-Dean_NEO_Berger_Davutoglu-vs-Erdogan_010-640x204.jpg

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says the Western military alliance will deploy more troops into eastern European member states as part of a QUOTE deter and dialogue strategy. Stoltenberg was speaking on the sidelines of a NATO ministerial meeting in Brussels.
The NATO chief said the meeting would address all important issues to prepare for a summit in Poland in July. On Wednesday, he said NATO wants dialogue with Russia to ease tensions over the Ukraine crisis.
Russia has long expressed concerns over NATO’s eastward expansion. Moscow accuses the U-S and the Western military alliance of returning to a cold war mindset of mutual suspicion and military competition.

mick silver

21st May 2016, 04:49 AM

Battle for Aleppo – the End of Erdogan’s Ottoman Dream in Syria Column: Politics (http://journal-neo.org/category/columns/politics/)
Region: Middle East (http://journal-neo.org/category/locations/middle-east/)
Country: Syria (http://journal-neo.org/category/locations/middle-east/siriya/)

http://journal-neo.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/1458045438-300x169.jpg (http://journal-neo.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/1458045438.jpg)Forget Damascus and forget President Bashar al-Assad’s seat of power – the real battle for Syria is being played out in the northern city of Aleppo, where Turkey dared dream it would revive its empire of old. Ankara here, is in for a rude awakening!So rude in fact that Turkish President Recep Erdogan is contemplating a military incursion into Syria – a move fraught with dangers, as it could potentially send Turkey in a collision course with not just Damascus, but two military superpowers; Iran and Russia. Needless to say that while both Moscow and Tehran have exercised restraint and measure when dealing with Ankara’s political folly, for the sake of regional stability; a direct military move against Syria would likely send ripples across the region that no amount of diplomacy will quiet.Turkey of course argues that its position is legitimate and true … how could it not, when Turkey has proven such a true NATO ally, such a bulwark against terror? President Erdogan’s main line of defense – or rather, attack is that he needs to absolutely protect Turkey’s national sovereignty against dangerous radical militants. Turkey’s right to self-defence is so imperious in fact that its expression justifies its trampling over the territorial integrity of another sovereign nation: Syria.In this exceptional narrative Syria has been relegated to a military theatre where nation-states have come to play war, and empire-building. Syria, Mr Erdogan has implied, stands but a dwarf before Turkey’s political and military needs … who cares for international law when one towers a strategic chokepoint in between the EU and a flood of migrants?Who will speak against Turkey now that its will has been left unchecked, and has stood unchallenged … may I dare say rogue … for such a long time. What I’m really asking is how do you put THAT genie back in its bottle? From the looks of it, President Erdogan has no intention on slowing down his neo-imperial horses. If anything he’s quite determined to see his ambitions through … to the bitter end if needs be, atop a ravaged nation most likely.But if Turkey is acting a rogue state at a time when even Washington is waking up to Russia’s logic in Syria, President Erdogan is not without a tuned up rationale. “Tens of thousands of lives have been saved and a million people have received aid, thanks to Syria ceasefire established with Russia’s help,” US Secretary of State John Kerry said (https://www.rt.com/usa/342560-kerry-syria-ceasefire-russia/) this May in what can only described as a political volte face.Ever the keen strategist, Erdogan is holding a mirror to America’s exceptionalism, playing the world’s public to the same counter-terrorism tune, and identical military beat – a grand neocon after his own masters.“Turkey is prepared to take unilateral actions against the Islamic State (IS) in Syria to protect its southern border town Kilis from IS attacks, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan,” Xinhua news agency reported him as saying on May 12. “We are making necessary preparations in order to clear the other side of the border,” he said.To which he added: “Turkey will not wait… while we have martyrs every day …I’d like to say that we will not hesitate to take unilateral steps on this issue …The issue of Kilis would be “litmus paper” for revealing the sincerity of coalition partners in the fight against the IS group.If you missed it, there is more than just a veiled threat hiding in President Erdogan’s comments – minus of course the sheer hypocrisy of his sudden concern for human life. Ankara shed little tears when it negotiated the lives … and deaths of war refugees with European capitals. Ankara then cared little for innocent lives … civilian lives. Life for Mr Erdogan only matters when it can be held a weapon in his enemies’ face.The “Sultan” is really sending a warning to the NATO, and his European neighbours – stand down as I lay waste Syria’s resistance or face to the migration flood I will unleash onto your cities. Of course there is always the possibility that ISIL elements could permeate through Europe’s intelligence armour … and then what? Considering that Ankara has acted a patron, and a profiteer of terror to assert its geopolitical ambitions in the Middle East, Turkey is well positioned to act a grand threat against the Old Continent. The fact that most EU governments have failed to understand such reality is rather concerning.Turkey long abandoned its political neutrality to the clamour of wars … how much time will elapse before Turkey becomes a global threat?Erdogan complained (http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/turkey-s-erdogan-threatens-unilateral-action-against-is-in-syria-116051200973_1.html) that the US-led anti-ISIL coalition has not provided Turkey with the desired support, reported Xinhua news agency. Support against what exactly no one seems quite sure since Ankara’s only woes have been against those factions which have actively sought to destroy terror: i.e. the Kurds.I will grant you that ISIL has in fact challenged Turkey in the province of Kilis, and that as such – on paper at least – Ankara could argue the need to defend itself. But then again giving Erdogan’s history with ISIL one could argue the wannabe Sultan is self-harming to better sale his people, and the world, the war he always wanted in Syria.It could also well be that Erdogan – a modern-day political Prometheus, burnt himself to the fire he unleashed onto Syria. Lost in his Ottomanesque ambitions Erdogan could soon find himself very much alone as he faces to the radical hounds he helped trained, armed and fund to depose the one man, who now could hold the key to Turkey’s salvation: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.Catherine Shakdam is the Associate Director of the Beirut Center for Middle Eastern Studies and a political analyst specializing in radical movements, exclusively for the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook”. (http://journal-neo.org/2014/09/19/saudi-arabia-the-trial-of-sheikh-nimr-al-nimr/journal-neo.org)
http://journal-neo.org/2016/05/21/battle-for-aleppo-the-end-of-erdogan-s-ottoman-dream-in-syria/

mick silver

21st May 2016, 05:30 AM

Lost Helicopter: Turkey’s War Against the Kurds Will Soon Have a Different Target

Column: Politics

Region: Middle East

Country: Turkey

4535444Imagine you are working as press officer for the Turkish Ministry of Defence or Foreign Affairs. How do you deal with the recent shooting down of the helicopter?

According to Russian information sources Ankara has acknowledged conducting airstrikes on alleged PKK targets in Iraq. The Turkish military has also continued targeting Kurds inside the country and is shelling Kurdish militias in northern Syria. It is one such sortie which led to a Turkish Cobra assault helicopter apparently being shot down by the Iraqi Kurdish militia, or so the official story goes at the moment.

Turkey is supposed to be involved in Iraq as part of an international war on terrorism. However all it will admit to doing is attacking the Kurds, inside the country as well as outside. It refuses to treat Daesh as a terrorist organisation, and the flow of arms and personnel to that organisation through Turkey means it is most probably sponsoring it.

So Turkey’s actions in Iraq have everything to do with Turkey’s internal policy and nothing to do with a global war on terrorism. If you were the press officer, this would become clearer every time you issued a release, no matter what you said.

So it would suit Turkey and its press officer if the shooting down of the helicopter could be divorced from its conflict with the Kurds. However that creates another problem. According to sources in Turkey, it may have been meant as a warning. The United States is standing with the Kurds in their fight against Daesh, meaning that US policymakers on the highest level might have approved the shoot down in order to send a message to the Turkish leadership. Unless Turkey renounces its Kurdish policy overnight, it is not going to admit this either.

So either the Kurds were simply responding to Turkish provocation or the whole world is against Turkey. However the Erdogan government tries to spin it now, it is more likely to be the Turkish state, rather than one helicopter, that will crash and burn as a result of this action. Unless it can suddenly find a way out – and it is probable that it has found itself one without even realising it, though this way may have grave consequences for everyone else.

Acceptable face of terrorism

Some sources inside Turkey, perhaps encouraged by the press officers, are saying that the Russians most probably shot down the helicopter. They are saying that Russian technology was used – specifically Man-Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS), surface-to-air missiles which can be fired by an individual or a small team of people.

However the Turks are well aware that the US has a track record of using third party technology to achieve its military goals. It did the same in Afghanistan in the 1980s, around the time it inserted and armed the Taliban, al-Qaeda and all the other groups it now claims to be fighting against. The Washington Post has provided some interesting insight to this, comparing what happened in Afghanistan to what can now turn into a full scale shooting war in Iraq.

The shooting down of the helicopter has made Turkey aware that, what the US did to the Soviets in Afghanistan, the Kurds and Americans are doing to it in Northern Iraq and Syria. We won’t hear a lot more about Russian involvement because the Turkish state isn’t going to demonise Russia on the one hand and then provoke it on the other. But tacitly accusing Russia now, despite what might happen, shows how desperate the Turks have become to avoid the consequences of this action.

Alleged evidence of the shooting down has been released, in the form of a video entitled Revolutionary Operations – Çukurca Boundary Line – 13 May 2016, posted on May 14 by Gerilla TV, which is associated with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Around four minutes into the video, a fighter can be seen firing a shoulder-held MANPADS. Its missile appears to hit the tail of a helicopter, which goes into a spin and then crashes behind a hill. A voice can then be heard yelling “Cobra down! Well done!“

The questions this video raises are – does the PKK possess any MANPADS, and are its soldiers capable of firing them? It has long been rumoured that it might have them, but there has been no evidence as yet. Nor has there ever been evidence that PKK combatants can shoot down planes with them.

If such evidence existed, Turkey would have broadcast it long ago to highlight the threat the PKK posed and gain international approval for increased attacks on it as part of the war on terror. So is Turkish intelligence, which has a sophisticated operation throughout the region, lacking? Or are the PKK being trained by the Americans, whose sponsored fighters already use such weapons in Ukraine?

We do know that hand-held surface-to-air hand missiles, of the type depicted in this video, are readily available from Libya. These conveniently disappeared under NATO’s watch, as a lot of weapons seem to do. Theoretically the PKK can’t get hold of them because no one is legally allowed to sell weapons to them, but when something disappears you can give it away to whoever you want.

The big picture in the fine detail

So with any possible explanation of the loss of the helicopter making Turkey look criminal, weak or facing disaster, the Turkish press officers have found another excuse for the loss of the helicopter. They are saying that if Russia didn’t shoot it down, it can only have been technical failure which caused it to crash.

For a number of years Turkey has expressed its longstanding loyalty to the US by buying US helicopters. When American policemen are asked how often they use their guns, by people from countries which don’t arm their police, they say that they rarely fire them because it involves too much paperwork. Americans and American-sponsored terrorists don’t often shoot down American helicopters, for the same reason.

But when the buyer changes suppliers then it is open season. Turkey is now buying them from Italy, which may also be a US ally but whose helicopters are much less protected from a possible US sanctioned attack. BTW, the Kurds brought down brought down a Chinook the same month

So the US might have a few tricks in the bag, and it was not only the Kurds that were behind the apparent shooting down. Such a claim would provoke The White House just as much as accusing the Russians of shooting the helicopter down would provoke The Kremlin. But Turkey has actually stopped buying US-made helicopters. Once they started buying them from Italians, Americans decided it was okay to fight the former client

It would have been much more convenient all round to blame the Italians for a failure of a military nature, at least in terms of vulnerable technology. The interesting thing will be what happens to deliveries of Italian helicopters that Turkey is buying. There is a bigger story here. Turkey is wishful the whole thing goes away before either the Kurds or the US take the shooting down to its logical conclusion?

Adapt or die

Turkey is supposed to be a trusted US ally and member of NATO. But it fails to support US causes and it military industrial complex. Instead it has tried to use event in Syria for local policy gain, and prolong that conflict to suit its own purposes.

The US is very fond of taking advantage of local unrest, even if it doesn’t actually foment it, to further its own ambitions. The various Arab Spring revolts provided several examples of this. But it won’t let anyone else try the same, precisely because it does it itself. To cleanse its own actions, the US has to make sure its allies are acting according to some higher purpose, or in a way which can be presented as such.

Turkey’s actions in Syria might have been tolerated if the US had achieved its objectives there. But it is increasingly losing ground in that war, and is now effectively arming both sides due to its own incompetence. Failure in Syria would mean a failure in the alleged “war on terror” and the campaign to justify anything by reference to the US national interest. This will have serious repercussions throughout the region, and leave room for a new protector to come along and secure the energy routes for their own use, or even worse, local exploitation.

So Turkey has to get with the programme. It is overtly supporting and supplying ISIL to attack the PKK, while the US is only doing it covertly, to create a Greater Kurdistan under US control. Both sides know too much about what the other is doing, and the US is not going to run the risk of losing another standoff. Turkey is being threatened with destruction by its own US allies, regardless of the hands used, if it doesn’t start supporting US objectives rather than its own, and now has to explain this away.

If Turkey says Russia did it, it will have to attack Russia to stop it happening again. The US won’t do that for it. Turkey won’t do that, so it can either admit the PKK is shooting down its helicopters in response to its own actions against the Kurdish population outside and inside its borders, thus weakening it, or admit the US is happy to destroy it for not following orders. Unless of course it can prove the technical failure it is talking about, and everyone can blame the Kurds, and by extension the EU and NATO, and deflect attention from everything the conflict which led to the shooting down is actually about.

Way out that ruins everything

We might recall one of the key scenes in the film Charlie Wilson’s War, where three Soviet Helicopter gunships make a run on unarmed civilians and unprotected civilians during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. “All you have to do is shoot down a helicopter and you will see how things fall into place,” one of the characters says. However, both expected and unexpected consequences result.

This shooting down was not designed to be a one-off incident. Turkey has been backed into a corner it must extricate itself from quickly before the whole house is set on fire. To avoid compromising itself, perhaps fatally, in both diplomatic and military terms it will have to come up with a common enemy that those who don’t like Turkey can also pile in on.

What Turkey may do next may have very serious consequences for Europe with a flood of Kurdish and other refugees. Already Europe is being attacked from all sides and unable to keep its own house in order. Even the EU may prove too much a pipedream to be maintained in its present form.

Crashing and burning

As in Afghanistan, a shot has been fired in Iraq and things have “fallen into place,” for an increasingly belligerent government which has held its own press hostage and designated sections of its own population, including the Kurds, as terrorists, whilst not declaring Daesh to be such. The wagons are circling around Turkey and Ahmet Davutoğlu might have got out just in time—an American asset.

By using a bigger picture as cover for its own policy Turkey has put itself in a lose-lose situation, embattled on all sides. But though it may not have intended to at the time, Turkey has now found a convenient scapegoat to unite all those who don’t like it behind it in a common cause.

Everyone wants to believe in EU incompetence to cover their own crimes. Turkey can abuse its own people all it wants if the greater strategic goal of isolating the EU is given precedence.It may even put up with losing some of its territory to the new US-sponsored Kurdish state, as long as it is part of a greater coalition which supplants the EU which won’t let Turkey in. Turkey’s only way out of this situation is to claim it was let down by EU and NATO incompetence, as that is the only way it can stop all the threats to it from the PKK, the US and everyone else. Any other explanation of what happened makes it seem weak and endangered. The shoot down is important because when Turkey is looking weak with the blackmail of the EU, threatening increase the flow of refugees, and it is possible that Turkey could also start playing the victim card.

Seth Ferris, investigative journalist and political scientist, expert on Middle Eastern affairs, exclusively for the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook”.
http://journal-neo.org/2016/05/20/lost-helicopter-turkeys-war-against-the-kurds-will-soon-have-a-different-target/

mick silver

21st May 2016, 09:35 AM

Al Qaeda Exists Because it is Allowed, Even Encouraged to Do So… Jubhat Al Nusra, a US State Department listed foreign terrorist organization, is considered one of the largest and most influential forces on the battlefield in Syria fighting Damascus, second only to the self-proclaimed Islamic State. Stanford University in its report titled, “Mapping Militant Organizations: Jabhat al-Nusra (http://web.stanford.edu/group/mappingmilitants/cgi-bin/groups/view/493),” admits that:
Al-Nusra is one of the best-equipped rebel groups in Syria……Second only to ISIS, al-Nusra attracts the most foreign fighters among rebel groups in the Syrian civil war. These fighters mostly come from the Middle East, but also from Chechnya and European states, with a smaller number from more distant countries like Australia and the United States. Considering the immense resources admitted by the United States, the European Union, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar pledged to rebel groups in Syria, an alarming question arises when considering how much better equipped and funded Al Nusra appears to be. Where precisely are they getting more funding to be so much better equipped than rebel groups the US and its allies are pouring billions of dollars into? How is Al Nusra able to acquire more resources than the combined efforts of America, Europe and the Persian Gulf?The answer is just as alarming. It is not a coincidence that the US has spent billions on training programs for rebel groups that do not exist and are not currently fighting on the Syrian battlefield. The money was truly spent, but not on “rebels.” Instead, the money, through Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar, has gone straight into Al Nusra’s war chests, armories and administrative budgets. The proof stares the world in the face each day with headlines of Al Nusra’s spanning exploits amid Syria’s grinding war.And as much has even been admitted.Articles like the Independent’s, “Turkey and Saudi Arabia alarm the West by backing Islamist extremists the Americans had bombed in Syria (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-crisis-turkey-and-saudi-arabia-shock-western-countries-by-supporting-anti-assad-jihadists-10242747.html),” the New York Times’, “U.S. Relies Heavily on Saudi Money to Support Syrian Rebels (http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/24/world/middleeast/us-relies-heavily-on-saudi-money-to-support-syrian-rebels.html),” and the BBC’s, “Arming Syrian rebels: Where the US went wrong (http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-33997408),” add up to paint a stark picture of a United States and the coalition of allies it leads, intentionally building up Al Nusra and sustaining its occupation and entrenchment in Syria.This groundwork, courtesy of the United States and its allies, is what Al Qaeda is building its “emirate” on.
Not an Episode of G.I. Joe… No explanation is ever given as to how the fictional character, Cobra Commander, could supply the cartoon battlefield of the popular American cartoon, “G.I. Joe,” each week with a new army of fully equipped villains. No explanation is needed because it is a cartoon. However, for the New York Times, a prominent American newspaper, to announce Al Qaeda’s plans to “move” to Syria but give no explanation as to how they are doing so politically or financially, is further evidence of just how inconvenient the truth actually is.Al Qaeda’s entire history since its inception in the 1980s to present day is a story of state-sponsored terrorism and proxy military campaigns (http://journal-neo.org/2016/05/06/saudi-arabia-supported-al-qaeda-before-and-after-but-not-on-9-11/). There is no possible means for Al Qaeda to have accomplished any of what it did without vast state-sponsorship behind it. And there is no possible way for it to do so today without vast state-sponsorship. This is why the New York Times refuses to ask difficult questions or quantify just what precisely is required to build Al Qaeda’s new “emirate” apparently overnight.Ulson Gunnar, a New York-based geopolitical analyst and writer especially for the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook (http://journal-neo.org/)”.
http://journal-neo.org/2016/05/20/al-qaeda-goes-to-syria-how-to-build-an-emirate-overnigh/

mick silver

28th May 2016, 12:42 PM

Putin Vows Retaliation Over US Missile Shield; Warns Poland, Romania Now In The "Cross Hairs" Source: Zero Hedge (http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-05-28/putin-vows-retaliation-over-us-missile-shield-warns-poland-romania-now-cross-hairs)

While Obama was in Hiroshima in a historic trip as the first standing president of the only nation to have ever used a nuclear weapon during wartime, and warning about the dangers of nuclear power without offering an apology to Japan, Russian president Putin was in Greece seeking to resume where he left off one year ago, ahead of the turbulent Greece "referendum" and capital controls, following which the Greek people have turned increasingly against remaining in the Eurogroup, a shift Putin certainly hopes to capitalize on.
Tsipras commented on twitter:
But it wasn't the latest Greek pivot toward Russia that was the highlight of Putin's trip: it was his latest warning that the Russian response to the most recent NATO provocation in Europe will be significant.
Recall that on May 12, in a dramatic development for the global nuclear balance of power, the United States launched its European missile defense system (http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-05-12/russia-hints-nuclear-war-after-us-deploys-european-anti-ballistic-missile-shield)dubbed Aegis Ashore at a remote airbase in the town of Deveselu, Romania, almost a decade after Washington proposed protecting NATO from Iranian rockets and despite repeated Russian warnings that the West is threatening the peace in central Europe.
As we noted at the time, the US move was a clear defection from the carefully established Game Theory equilibrium in the aftermath of the nuclear arms race, one which explicitly removed a Russian "first strike threat", thereby pressuring Russia to implement further nuclear offensive and defensive measures: "the precarious nuclear balance of power in Europe has suddenly shifted, and quite dramatically: despite U.S. assurances, the Kremlin says the missile shield's real aim is to neutralize Moscow's nuclear arsenal long enough for the United States to make a first strike on Russia in the event of war."
And sure enough, making it very clear that this biggest yet provocation by the US and NATO is not forgotten, during a joint press conference with Tsipras in Greece, Putin warned Romania and Poland they could find themselves in the sights of Russian rockets because they are hosting elements of a U.S. missile shield that Moscow considers a threat to its security.
Putin, cited by Reuters (http://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-europe-shield-idUSKCN0YI2ER), issued his starkest warning yet over the missile shield, saying that Moscow had stated repeatedly that it would have to take retaliatory steps but that Washington and its allies had ignored the warnings.
"If yesterday in those areas of Romania people simply did not know what it means to be in the cross-hairs, then today we will be forced to carry out certain measures to ensure our security," Putin told a joint news conference in Athens with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. "It will be the same case with Poland," he said.
"At the moment the interceptor missiles installed have a range of 500 kilometers, soon this will go up to 1000 kilometers, and worse than that, they can be rearmed with 2400km-range offensive missiles even today, and it can be done by simply switching the software, so that even the Romanians themselves won’t know."
Putin did not specify what actions Russia would take, but he insisted that it was not making the first step, only responding to moves by Washington. "We won't take any action until we see rockets in areas that neighbor us."
"We have the capability to respond. The whole world saw what our medium-range sea-based missiles are capable of [in Syria]. But we violate no agreements. And our ground-based Iskander missiles have also proven themselves as superb,” continued Putin.
Further undermining the Pentagon's provocative narrative, the Russian president said the argument that the project was needed to defend against Iran made no sense because an international deal had been reached to curb Tehran's nuclear program. The missiles that will form the shield can easily reach Russian cities, he said.
"How can that not create a threat for us?" Putin asked.
He voiced frustration that Russia's complaints about the missile shield had not been heeded. "We've been repeating like a mantra that we will be forced to respond... Nobody wants to hear us. Nobody wants to conduct negotiations with us."
And since nobody will negotiate with Russia, the Kremlin will have to take offensive measures into its own hands: we already know what the first one will be. Recall what then-president Dmitiry Medvedev said in November 2008 (http://en.ria.ru/russia/20081105/118146144.html): "Russia will deploy Iskander missile systems in its enclave in Kaliningrad to neutralize, if necessary, the anti-ballistic missile system in Europe."
Once Russian SS-26 tactical missile systems are again to be found on the borders of a Europe which suddenly as facing not only a a nuclear-armed opponent on its borders, but an ongoing - and in many cases malicious - immigrant influx within, then all bets about the peaceful future of the European continent, the main stated reason behind the creation of the EU and the Eurozone, will once again be off.
http://www.zerohedge.com/sites/default/files/images/user5/imageroot/2013/12/Iskander%20summary_0.jpg (http://www.zerohedge.com/sites/default/files/images/user5/imageroot/2013/12/Iskander%20summary.jpg)
But not before NATO and the Pentagon respond in symmetric fashion and deploy more nuclear weapons of their own to Europe's eastern borders, and aim them squarely at Moscow, as the precarious post-cold war game theoretical equilibrium is completely destroyed. At that moment the new nuclear arms race will have fully returned.

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mick silver

28th May 2016, 06:12 PM

In Greece, Putin Addresses NATO Bombs in RomaniaAndrew Anglin
Daily Stormer
May 28, 2016
http://www.dailystormer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/putin_a368-618x424.jpg (http://www.dailystormer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/putin_a368.jpg)
Imagine if Russia was installing missiles on the periphery of the United States’ borders.
Say, in Cuba.
It would be a crisis, no?
RT (https://www.rt.com/news/344642-putin-visit-greece-tsipras/):

During a visit to Greece intended to repair ties with the EU, Vladimir Putin said that Russia has “no choice” but to target Romania, which has recently opened a NATO missile defense base, and Poland, which plans to do so within two years.
“If yesterday people simply did not know what it means to be in the crosshairs in those areas of Romania, then today we will be forced to carry out certain measures to ensure our security. And it will be the same with Poland,” Putin said during a joint press conference with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in Athens on Friday.
The Russian President was referring to the Deveselu facility that officially became operational in May after nearly a decade and $800 million of planning and construction.
“At the moment the interceptor missiles installed have a range of 500 kilometers, soon this will go up to 1000 kilometers, and worse than that, they can be rearmed with 2400km-range offensive missiles even today, and it can be done by simply switching the software, so that even the Romanians themselves won’t know,” said Putin, who is in Greece for a two-day tour.
“We have the capability to respond. The whole world saw what our medium-range sea-based missiles are capable of [in Syria]. But we violate no agreements. And our ground-based Iskander missiles have also proven themselves as superb,” continued Putin.
Yeah.
It’s almost like the West hasn’t really been paying all that much attention to Russia’s weapons development programs over the last decade.
But I guess they had more important things to worry about.
http://www.dailystormer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/cdf2a760-964d-4b10-95a5-a98438e94a5a-2060x1236-618x371.jpeg (http://www.dailystormer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/cdf2a760-964d-4b10-95a5-a98438e94a5a-2060x1236.jpeg)
Plus, I guess Europe isn’t planning a shooting war.
The European team of Defense officials is planning on getting Putin in a living room and nagging him to death.
http://www.dailystormer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/a75c70af09b5ed084c0f6a70670033a5sdfsdfs-618x357.jpg (http://www.dailystormer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/a75c70af09b5ed084c0f6a70670033a5sdfsdfs.jpg)
Russia will never see it coming.

Russia’s political and military leadership has repeatedly spoken out against the missile defense shield since it was proposed during the George W. Bush administration, and Putin reiterated that Moscow does not believe the European part of it is targeted against a potential threat from Iran.
“NATO fend us off with vague statements that this is no threat to Russia… That the whole project began as a preventive measure against Iran’s nuclear program. Where is that program now? It doesn’t exist,” said Putin, referring to the nuclear treaty that was concluded between the world’s major powers and Tehran last year. “We have been saying since the early 2000s that we will have to react somehow to your moves to undermine international security. No one is listening to us.”
http://www.dailystormer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/31095510a1145f164e.jpg (http://www.dailystormer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/31095510a1145f164e.jpg)

President Putin arrived in Greece on Friday for a two-day visit that involves meetings with his Greek counterpart, Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, and other top-level discussions.It is the Russian president’s first EU trip in seven months, and comes just weeks before Brussels decides on whether to extend EU sanctions against Russia.
Yeah.
They’re not lifting the sanctions. If they were planning on doing that, they wouldn’t be pressing for war.
This video is lulzy. Putin just be all like.

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mick silver

28th May 2016, 06:14 PM

Cucks Cheer as 1400 Burgers Stage War Demonstration in the BalticsGreve Hans
Daily Stormer
May 28, 2016

http://www.dailystormer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Cjd29_KW0AEEOXa.jpg-large-618x464.jpg (http://www.dailystormer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Cjd29_KW0AEEOXa.jpg-large.jpg)Paid cucks praise their Judeo-American occupiersShortly after Sweden’s politicians (including the Zionist Party, aka Sweden Democrats) accepted the treasonous proposal of allowing NATO soldiers to enter the country, the war alliance has proceeded with a “training exercise.” The “training exercise” including 1,400 US soldiers with 400 vehicles will showcase the American mercenaries ”freedom of movement” be redeploying the 2nd Cavalry Regiment from Vilseck (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vilseck) in the German Federal Republic to strategic town of Tapa (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapa,_Estonia) in Estonia.
From Tapa, the Mercenary forces could easily deploy towards the city of Narva, close to St. Petersburg, or towards Tartu (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartu) in the south of the country. Thus Tapa allows the mercenary force to move between the two sectors of land-border the country has with Russia with relative ease.
According to the US Army’s official page, this is only a part of a much larger plan to appease the Jews in charge by showing how good the goyim will be when given an order.
U.S Army (https://www.army.mil/article/168671/):

Approximately 10,000 personnel from 13 countries will participate in the U.S. Army Europe-led joint, multinational exercise “Saber Strike 16,” taking place in multiple locations in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania from May 30 to June 22.
The aim of the exercise is to facilitate cooperation among Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, as well as other participating nations, including Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, United Kingdom, and the United States. Saber Strike improves joint operational capability in a range of missions as well as preparing the participating nations to support multinational contingency operations. The exercise also will train participants on command-and-control and interoperability with Allies and regional partners through division-led, brigade-level command post and computer-assisted exercises and battalion-level field and situational training exercises.
In other words, King Negro has summoned his bannermen and they are obediently moving towards the desired location to without a doubt try to demonstrate how loyal they are to the Judeo-American imperialist cause. Why would any sane person in Europe support NATO when they are defending regimes that are purposely trying to breed us out of the existence?

http://www.dailystormer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/wesley-clark.png (http://www.dailystormer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/wesley-clark.png)Jewish NATO General Wesley Clark
Traitor, former Prime Minister of Norway and current NATO Security General Jens Stoltenberg said that “The signal of having a multinational presence sends a very clear signal… that an attack on one ally would be an attack on the whole alliance,” RT (https://www.rt.com/news/344697-nato-drills-kicks-europe/) reports. Since Estonia only shares a non-NATO member land border with Russia, what other country could it possibly be ”defending” against?Sweden has now allowed NATO troops to enter the country (http://www.dailystormer.com/sweden-to-accept-nato-troops/). This could give NATO access to Gotland, the Isle dubbed as the ”static aircraft carrier of the Baltic Sea” by many Swedish military men.If NATO controls Gotland, this will make it a top strategic target for the Russians in case they need to defend themselves from the war alliance NATO’s aggression. Gotland, due to it’s strategic position, allows it’s controller to dominate the air across the eastern Baltic Sea region. It would also work perfectly as a NATO base, since it would be a good spot from which to transport NATO soldiers to the desired location near the Russian border without the Russians being able to do much against it without air power.
http://www.dailystormer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/GOTLAND-618x364.png (http://www.dailystormer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/GOTLAND.png)Gotland and the Eastern Baltic Sea region
The Daily Stormer got a brief interview with Sgt. Ficki, currently on route to Estonia.

The Daily Stormer: So Sgt. Ficki, why is the USA trying to surround Russia?Sgt. Ficki: Damn tho, I dunno. Dem white women be pretty hot tho. Damn.The Daily Stormer: I see, why did you join the military?Sgt. Ficki: I joined dem military unit cuz dem pay was gucci, if you know what I mean. Aint need to do nuffin either.The Daily Stormer: But what if the Jewish oligarchs decides that it is time to crush one of the last bastions of resistance against the Neo-Liberal Jewish World Order?Sgt. Ficki: Aint kno nuffin bout that, dawg.With stupid Blacks like Sgt. Ficki here manning the guns, and a Jewish elite that’s more and more arrogant with every passing day, this is a recipe for disaster.

http://www.dailystormer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/3D-Orc-618x441.png (http://www.dailystormer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/3D-Orc.png)This is what Estonians actually believe

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mick silver

28th May 2016, 06:25 PM

US Soldiers Caught on Cam on ISIS Frontline in SyriaDaily Stormer
May 27, 2016

US Special Forces operatives have been photographed fighting alongside the Kurdish militia in northern Syria in a drive against the Islamic State-held city of Raqqa. The Pentagon insists the Americans are there in “advise and assist” capacity only, however.

mick silver

28th May 2016, 06:26 PM

http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/themes/_stylebook/timthumb.php?src=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.veteranstoday.co m%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F05%2Fabdrakka3365339.jp g&q=90&w=702&h=412&zc=1 (http://www.veteranstoday.com/2016/05/27/us-not-unusual-for-troops-to-wear-foreign-insignia/)

mick silver

28th May 2016, 08:21 PM

Are NATO’s Massive War Games on Russia’s Border a Pretext to World War III?

Joshua01

28th May 2016, 10:36 PM

Are NATO’s Massive War Games on Russia’s Border a Pretext to World War III?

Yep, and when the heat turns up, Onigger will declare martial law and suspend elections

mick silver

4th June 2016, 10:24 AM

New Defense Shield Could Spark Conflict in South China Sea Very SoonBy Ian Greenhalgh (http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/iangreenhalgh/) on June 3, 2016
The war drums seem to be beating ever more loudly in many places around the world, these are interesting times and as the old Chinese curse goes 'may you be cursed to live in interesting times'.
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/China-Shield.jpg (http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/China-Shield.jpg)

This is the latest development in an on-going and frankly, quite worrying series of events in the South China Sea; worrying because there is a growing aggression being displayed and bellicose rhetoric being spouted by the USA. China will not allow itself to be pushed around or dictated to by a Western power. It has forgotten the 19th century when Western powers humiliated and dominated China. Beijing will not willingly allow that to ever happen again and is very well armed and equipped to resist forcibly.To my eyes, there are many parallels between the situation in the sea off China and the situation in the Donbass region on the border of Ukraine and Russia. In both the USA and it’s Western allies are treating a superpower with a good deal of aggression and provocation while the Western media demonises that superpower.The superpowers in question, Russia and China, are both more than capable of defending themselves militarily; in both conventional and nuclear terms the USA is playing with fire and that should be of concern to the entire world…Ian.
__________Sputnik NewsNew Defense Shield Could Spark Conflict in South China Sea Very Soon (http://sputniknews.com/asia/20160602/1040656326/south-china-sea-tensions.html)Commenting on China’s recent announcement on its readiness to implement an air defense identification zone (ADIZ) in the South China Sea pending further US moves in the area, one military expert told Radio Sputnik, that in case Beijing proceeds with its plans, it could spark a very serious conflict in the South China Sea.

“It is known only too well, that American, Japanese and South Korean jets continuously annoy China by flying into airspace very close to its borders. It means that an argument on the ground is currently growing into an argument in the air, and it escalates the situation even further,” military expert Viktor Baranets told Sputnik
“In order to add weight to its claims for the disputed islands and to send a “military message” to all those who do not agree with the Chinese territorial policy in the region, Beijing has decided to cover the area with a missile defense ‘umbrella’, a serious cooling signal for those who are trying to object to its claims and which lifts the argument into the air space,” Baranets added.
However, the expert noted, the move, in turn, will cause serious annoyance to the US and its allies.

“This ‘umbrella’ is a serious step and I think that the US and its allies will not support the move. These actions might spark a serious conflict in the region very soon,” said the military expert.
“Thanks to China’s recent purchasing of very up-to-date missile defense complexes from Russia and because it has their own developments in the missile defense and even anti-satellite spheres, the Chinese can warn against entering in that area by sea or by air,” Baranets said.
He also noted that this should force the US, Japanese and South Koreans to sit down at the negotiating table. Otherwise a regional conflict could spark, which very possibly could lead to an international conflict.
On Wednesday, the South China Morning Post citing sources close to the People’s Liberation Army, reported that Beijing is ready to impose an air defense identification zone (ADIZ) over the South China Sea in case the US continues its “provocative” actions in the area.

“If the US military keeps making provocative moves to challenge China’s sovereignty in the region, it will give Beijing a good opportunity to declare an ADIZ in the South China Sea,” the newspaper quotes one of its sources as saying without revealing his name.
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Fiery-Cross-Reef-1024x682.jpg (http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Fiery-Cross-Reef.jpg)Fiery Cross Reef in the Spratly Islands, part of China’s land reclamation work in the South China sea.

The revelation come ahead of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, a security forum attended by defense officials from various nations, including Admiral Sun Jianguo and US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter. Disputes in the South China Sea are expected to head the agenda of the three-day event, which starts on Friday.
Top Chinese and US officials are also set to meet next week for their annual strategic and economic dialogue in Beijing.

“Regarding when to declare such a zone, it will depend on whether China is facing security threats from the air, and what the level of the air safety threat is,” the country’s defense ministry said in a statement sent to the newspaper.
China set up its first ADIZ in the East China Sea in November 2013 to cover the Diaoyu Islands, which Japan calls the Senkakus. Both countries claim the uninhabited outcrops but Tokyo controls them. The ADIZ triggered a backlash from Japan, South Korea and the US.
Tensions between China and neighbors Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines over sovereignty in the South China Sea have risen since Beijing embarked on major land reclamation work on the disputed islands and reefs in the area.

mick silver

4th June 2016, 10:25 AM

Washington Military Planners Have Gone Mad Column: Politics (http://journal-neo.org/category/columns/politics/)
Region: USA in the World (http://journal-neo.org/category/locations/usa-in-the-world/)

http://journal-neo.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/1_213899-300x162.jpg (http://journal-neo.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/1_213899.jpg)To read the Western mainstream media, we would be led to believe that the big, bad Russian Bear, with Vladimir Putin atop, shaking a fistful of nuclear warheads, is confronting the West in the most threatening manner imaginable. We should believe Russia is provoking at every turn, frothing at the mouth and threatening to invade the Baltic countries and perhaps all Western Europe. We would feel quite justified, as the propaganda spin of Washington claims, to protect America’s European allies from surprise Russian nuclear attack by surrounding Russia with anti-Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) systems.So we as citizens in the Western NATO countries have little reaction at all when we read some days ago that the Obama White House announced it had activated the first phase of its anti-ballistic missile defense system (BMD), known as AEGIS, in an air base in Deveselu, Romania. Poland will be next to become activated with Washington’s Aegis.The Aegis Ashore system has been officially put into operation and can already launch SM-3 interceptor missiles. The system includes 24 anti-aircraft SM-3 missiles. At the same time the Pentagon is placing its BMD installations in Japan and South Korea and possibly, Australia, aimed at China. Our perception of world reality is primarily shaped for us by what we read in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal or hear on CNN or BBC. We sigh a small sigh of relief that our world is now more secure. Nothing is farther from reality. That’s a grave error.On May 13, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, alongside officials representing the United States and European NATO members, announced the activation of a new missile system, based in Romania. Stoltenberg announced,“The United States’ Aegis ashore system is declared certified for operations.”The new missile network is based at Romania’s Deveselu military air base. The US is also building another new US missile base in Poland. On the same day Deveselu missile base was opened for “business,” construction began on the US missile base near Redzikowo, Poland. Both will operate under the direct command of the US Department of Defense. The Pentagon insists both are intended to protect Europe from Iran (sic!). Shall we call that a pretty pathetic propaganda deception of Washington? I would say so. Both and other systems are directly intended for Russia and those “unarmed” Aegis missiles are potentially nuclear-capable and carry Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise Missiles.The Romanian missile base is positioned less than 400 miles from Russia’s main Black Sea naval base at Sevastopol, Crimea. AEGIS is able to fire short and long-range missiles.i (http://journal-neo.org/2016/06/04/washington-military-planners-have-gone-mad-2/#sdendnote1sym) Neither Romania nor Poland will have any say over its use, even though their territory will be the target of any pre-emptive Russian reaction.Commenting on the event, the New York Times openly acknowledged, “The launch-pad violates a 1987 treaty intended to take the superpowers off their hair-trigger nuclear alter, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, by banning land-based cruise and medium-range missiles with a range from 300 to 3,400 miles.”US and NATO officials insist that AEGIS is directed against Iran and other small states viewed by Washington as “rogue states,” and poses no threat to Russia or China, something absurd on the surface.The reality, that Russia is the target of the Romanian Aegis system was made plain by the remarks at the opening ceremony by Romanian President Klaus Ioannis. Ioannis made clear that the new installation is part of broader plans to use his country as a staging area for NATO activities throughout Eastern Europe and the Black Sea (https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2016/05/13/nato-m13.html).Of course the Black Sea is home to Russia’s naval Black Sea Fleet in Russian Crimea. Admitting that the real target of the missiles is the Russian Federation, Ioannis called on NATO leaders to maintain a “permanent naval presence” in the Black Sea, as part of a military buildup aimed at making a “credible and predictable presence of Allied forces on the eastern flank.” A glance at the map shos that the only nation bordering the Black Sea not either in NATO or controlled by pro-NATO regimes is the Russian Federation.During his swearing in some days before the Aegis opening US Army General and Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, Curtis Scaparrotti, warned that Russia “is striving to project itself as a world power.” He declared that US forces in Europe must “enhance our levels of readiness and our agility in the spirit of being able to fight tonight if deterrence fails (https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2016/05/13/nato-m13.html).” That sounds pretty “hair-trigger” to me.Russia made clear it does not greet the news of Aegis deployment with grace or joy. Russia’s President Putin told news agencies, “This is not a defense system. This is part of a US nuclear strategic potential brought on to a periphery. In this case, Eastern Europe is such a periphery…Those people taking such decisions must know that until now they have lived calm, fairly well-off and in safety. Now, as these elements of ballistic missile defense are deployed, we are forced to think how to neutralize the emerging threats to the Russian Federation (http://www.globalresearch.ca/nato-build-up-in-romania-and-moldova-directed-against-russia/5525746).”Russian commentator Konstantin Bogdanov told the New York Times, “The antimissile sites in Eastern Europe might even accelerate the slippery slope to nuclear war in a crisis. They would inevitably become priority targets in the event of nuclear war, possibly even targets for preventive strikes… Countries like Romania that host American antimissile systems might be the only casualties, whereas the United States would then reconcile with Russia ‘over the smoking ruins of the East European elements of the missile defense system (http://www.globalresearch.ca/nato-build-up-in-romania-and-moldova-directed-against-russia/5525746).”
Possible Russian responseMany Washington “think-tank generals,” neo-conservative academic hawks and even senior Pentagon professional military generals, more concerned with lobbying for a bigger defense budget than for reality, seem to believe the United States is invulnerable and that their drip-drip escalation against Russia and also China in recent years will restore their vanishing sole superpower global hegemony. It won’t, and in fact may end up obliterating the United States mainland as well as Europe, even if it costs Russians dearly.A well-respected Cold War military veteran originally from the Soviet Union, later in French intelligence, writing under the nom de plume, The Saker, recently outlined in detail what the United States and NATO can expect from Russia if Washington foolishly continues to escalate US troop deployments on Russia’s doorstep in the Baltics, activates more of its BMD missile defenses–which, by the way, as Vladimir Putin pointed out, are also capable of being easily converted to carry nuclear warheads.Saker correctly points out that Washington’s AEGIS kinetic BMD system at present is no real military threat to Russia’s military defense capabilities. It is the escalation that they see that alarms Moscow. That, especially since Washington’s February, 2014 coup d’etat in Ukraine, and the lock-step obedience as literal vassals, of every EU head of government to Washington orders since, even at their own economic expense.As a consequence, Russia has begun to prepare for the “unthinkable.” Keep in mind Russians abhor war, having lost perhaps up to 30 million souls in the 1940’s only to see the latecomer, USA, who jumped in in 1944, after the Russians has been taking the vast bulk of the fighting against Nazi Germany, claim themselves as “victor.” Yet, through history going back to the Great Schism of 1054, Russians, when forced in existential crises, are capable of defending against all odds.Saker describes the Russian current response strategy which has been quietly in preparation since the Cheney-Bush Administration announced plans (http://thesaker.is/how-russia-is-preparing-for-wwiii/) in 2007 for a US BMD in Poland and the Czech Republic:
“The Russian effort is a vast and a complex one, and it covers almost every aspect of Russian force planning, but there are four examples which, I think, best illustrate the Russian determination not to allow a 22 June 1941 to happen again:• The re-creation of the First Guards Tank Army (in progress)• The deployment of the Iskander-M operational-tactical missile system (done)• The deployment of the Sarmat ICBM (in progress)• The deployment of the Status-6 strategic torpedo (in progress)”Three of the four points are especially worth describing in detail. Saker describes the Iskander-M: “The new Iskander-M operational tactical missile system is…extremely accurate, it has advanced anti-ABM capabilities, it flies at hypersonic speeds and is practically undetectable on the ground…This will be the missile tasked with destroying all the units and equipment the US and NATO have forward-deployed in Eastern Europe (http://thesaker.is/how-russia-is-preparing-for-wwiii/)…”Then he details Sarmat ICBM, in progress. After noting that during the Cold War, the SS-18, the most powerful ICBM ever developed, was scary enough. ” “The RS-28 ‘Sarmat’ brings the terror to a totally new level. The Sarmat is…capable of carrying 10-15 MIRVed warheads which will be delivered in a so-called “depressed” (suborbital) trajectory and which will remain maneuverable at hypersonic speeds. The missile will not have to use the typical trajectory over the North Pole but will be capable of reaching any target anywhere on the planet from any trajectory. All these elements combined will make the Sarmat itself and its warheads completely impossible to intercept (http://thesaker.is/how-russia-is-preparing-for-wwiii/).”Then Russia’s Status-6 strategic torpedo: “The Status-6 torpedo would be delivered from an ‘autonomous underwater vehicle’ with advanced navigational capabilities but which can also be remote controlled and steered from a specialized command module. The vehicle can dive as deep as 1 kilometer at a speed up to 185km/h with a range of up to 10,000km (over 6,200 miles). The Status-6 system can target aircraft carrier battle groups, US navy bases (especially SSBN bases) and, in its most frightening configuration, it can be used to deliver high-radioactivity cobalt bombs capable of laying waste to huge expanses of land. The Status-6 delivery system would be…capable of delivering a 100 megaton warhead which would make it twice as powerful as the most powerful nuclear device ever detonated, the Soviet Czar-bomb (57 megatons). Hiroshima was only 15 kilotons.” Saker adds, “Keep in mind that most of the USA’s cities and industrial centers are all along the coastline which makes them extremely vulnerable to torpedo based attacks…the depth and speed of the Status-6 torpedo would make it basically invulnerable to interception (http://thesaker.is/how-russia-is-preparing-for-wwiii/).”The Saker notes there are other equally serious possible Russian responses to any potential existential danger for the motherland, rodina, as Russians call their homeland.
Nuclear PrimacyThe active USA BMD project began during Ronald Reagan’s Presidency. In 1972 the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (ABM Treaty) between Moscow and Washington placed severe limits on development or deployment of Ballistic Missile Defense, but didn’t prevent intense research on such systems. That was what President Ronald Reagan announced to the world in March 1983, when he launched the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), which the press quickly dubbed, ‘Star Wars.’ When the Cold War ended with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1990, Washington temporarily shelved full-scale work on deploying their BMD systems. But only temporarily, until the Cheney-Bush Administration in 2001.Ballistic Missile Defense systems are the final element that could make a US nuclear first strike a possible live option. It would be aimed to take out any Soviet missiles that had somehow survived a US First Strike.According to the late Lt. Col. Robert Bowman, former head of President Carter’s then-top secret SDI research, anti-missile defense remained in 2009, “the missing link to a First Strike” capability.Already in 2003 at the onset of the illegal US invasion of Iraq, the Pentagon’s 2003 Nuclear Posture Review made clear that nuclear weapons were here to stay. The declared purpose of US nuclear weapons under the hawkish Cheney-Bush era was changing from nuclear deterrence (MAD) and weapon of last resort to a central, usable component of the US military arsenal. The unthinkable was being thought in Washington.In September 2015 the Pentagon announced Washington’s decision to station 20 next-generation advanced nuclear bombs of Type B61-12 in Germany, above the protests of leading but impotent German politicians. The B61-12 is in fact a brand new nuclear weapon with vastly improved military capabilities, and the most expensive nuclear bomb project ever. I noted in an article then, that Washington’s deployment of new nuclear weapons in Germany, “is no minor affair as it brings the likelihood of nuclear war by miscalculation between the United States and Russia one giant step closer and it makes the German Republic a direct high-priority target in any such escalation (http://journal-neo.org/2016/06/04/washington-military-planners-have-gone-mad-2/%20http://sputniknews.com/analysis/20150929/1027732606/us-nukes-europe.html).”If I am walking down the street minding my own business and I see a psychopath leap at me with a drawn knife clearly aiming to kill, I have a moral responsibility to defend my life with all my means. Likewise, as Kremlin planners carefully monitor the actions of the US military and State Department since declaration of plans to install its Ballistic Missile Defense in NATO Western European lands back in 2007, after the Cheney-Bush Administration unilaterally tore up the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty of 1987 to free itself to deploy its BMD systems, and now with deployments of NATO and US troops and tanks at the periphery of Russia as well as around China, both countries are taking deadly seriously the growing danger to their very existence through an “unthinkable” US nuclear first strike.As a nice cheery footnote, the state-owned China paper, Global Times, in its May 29, 2016 edition reported that China will send a submarine armed with nuclear missiles into the Pacific for the first time. The paper, making an official Beijing Government response to Washington’s military Asia Pivot, added that China has been adopting an “effective nuclear deterrence” strategy, with much fewer nuclear warheads than the West powers. Also, China is the only one among the nuclear powers to announce a no-first-use policy. It means that China’s nuclear deterrence lies in its capability to strike back… As Sino-US tensions build, it is necessary for China to strengthen its capability for nuclear retaliation. It will help with balance in the Asia-Pacific region and enhance the US willingness to seek peace with China (http://en.people.cn/n3/2016/0529/c90000-9064803.html).It is vital that the still sane among us clearly understand how utterly mad, as in insane, not in Mutual Assured Destruction, the Washington missile defense and Russia provoking strategy of the past two decades, especially the past two years, is. Unlike US Defense Secretary Ash Carter, I for one am not willing to end up in a thermonuclear ash heap.F. William Engdahl is strategic risk consultant and lecturer, he holds a degree in politics from Princeton University and is a best-selling author on oil and geopolitics, exclusively for the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook” (http://journal-neo.org/)
http://journal-neo.org/2016/06/04/washington-military-planners-have-gone-mad-2/

mick silver

4th June 2016, 03:23 PM

Asia (http://www.foxnews.com/category/world/world-regions/asia.html)China says it will ignore South China Sea lawsuit decisionPublished June 04, 2016 Associated Press (http://www.ap.org/)

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SINGAPORE – China said Saturday that it will ignore the decision of an international arbitration panel in the Philippines' lawsuit against Beijing's sweeping territorial claims in the South China Sea.
"To put it simply, the arbitration case actually has gone beyond the jurisdiction" of a U.N. arbitration panel, said Rear Adm. Guan Youfei, director of the foreign affairs office of China's National Defense Ministry.
The Philippines has filed a case in the United Nations under the U.N. Convention on Law of the Sea, questioning China's territorial claim in the South China Sea. An arbitration panel is expected to rule on the case soon. The Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled last year that it has jurisdiction over the case despiteChina's rejection.
"Because the territorial and sovereignty disputes have not been subjected to the arbitration, we think the arbitration is illegal," Guan told reporters on the sidelines of an international security conference here. "Therefore, we do not participate in it nor accept it."
Guan's statement is a reiteration of China's longstanding position that it wants to settle its disputes with various countries on a bilateral basis and that it will not accept international mediation.
Still, it gains significance because of the overtures made by Philippine President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, who said recently that he is open to bilateral negotiations with China. This has given Beijing an opening that it hopes to leverage in the event the panel rules in favor of the Philippines. China also has conflicting claims in the sea with Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam and Brunei, who all are looking for U.S. help, much to Beijing's chagrin.
"The new Philippine leader also said that the Philippines hopes to conduct a dialogue with China," Guan said. "We hope the Philippines could get back on to the track of dialogue. The door to dialogue is always open."
Earlier Saturday, India's defense minister told the conference, known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, that it is inChina's economic interest to reduce tensions in the South China Sea.
"It is ultimately economics," Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar said. "If you have an unstable region like what we have in the Middle East, I don't think economics and prosperity will really (be) enhanced."
Although India is not a party to the South China Sea disputes, China is its traditional adversary. They fought a war in 1962, in which India lost land to China.
Parrikar said that however small or "however powerful" a country may be, "no commerce or commercial activity takes place in a highly tense (region). And I think it is in the interest of everyone, including China, to ensure that the peace remains in this region."
Separately, Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said it was "getting increasingly important for all nations in the region to establish the order based on the rule of the law."
Indirectly referring to China, he said that "powerful nations are required to act with self-restraint so as to avoid contingency."
China claims virtually the entire South China Sea as its own, overlapping with territory claimed by other Southeast Asian governments. It has also started building airstrips on artificial islands it built on once-submerged reefs, much to the chagrin of the United States, which worries the buildup will impede freedom of navigation in the busy area.
The three-day Shangri-La Dialogue, which is being attended by defense ministers and experts from 25 countries, ends Sunday and covers topics that also include terrorism, cybercrime and North Korea's nuclear ambitions

mick silver

4th June 2016, 03:34 PM

Syrian Situation: the War Continues Column: Politics (http://journal-neo.org/category/columns/politics/)
Region: Middle East (http://journal-neo.org/category/locations/middle-east/)
Country: Syria (http://journal-neo.org/category/locations/middle-east/siriya/)

http://journal-neo.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/azaz_syria-300x199.png (http://journal-neo.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/azaz_syria.png)As of the end of May this year, the situation in Syria has, in principle, remained largely unchanged, despite the intense fighting amongst all the parties involved in the conflict, including external participation from Russia and the “international” coalition led by the United States. Although the zone of influence of the terrorist groups like the IS and “Jabhat al-Nusra” has gradually narrowed, no decisive turning point has been reached yet. New Islamic militants are joining their ranks to replace those “Jihadis” who have fallen in battle or deserted the group. These new fighters receive financial aid and weapons from rich Arab nations, as well as from Turkey albeit not via official government structures.Despite the announcement of May 20, that from May 25 Moscow intended to begin unilaterally targeting and taking out the Syrian terrorists who have continued fighting and have not dissociated themselves from Jabhat al-Nusra, and the US refusal to accede to these air strikes, Russia still hopes to reach an amicable agreement with Washington on this crucial matter. However, America is trying to independently organize the Syrian armed opposition into offensive units against the positions held by the IS in Aleppo, in an obvious attempt to prevent the recovery of control by the government troops. Against this background, during the week, both Russian aircraft and Syrian Air Force aircraft attacked the positions of IS and “Jabhat al-Nusra” militants that are not covered in the cease-fire agreement, in the provinces of Aleppo and Homs, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, and Raqqa. On May 25 and 28, there was a joint air strike by aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces and Syrian Air Force on a convoy of oil tankers in the eastern province of Homs.On May 22, 29 terrorist groups, and in particular, the Jaish al-Islam and Failak ar-Rahman warring factions, presented an ultimatum to Washington and Moscow, and demanded that they stop the offensive led by Syrian troops that had commenced on May 14 on the town of Darayya (10 km south-west of Damascus) and in Eastern Guta (Damascus province) within the next 48 hours. From midnight on May 24, at the initiative of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the warring parties in Syria (RCR), a 72 hour ceasefire was introduced in the region of Eastern Guta and in the town of Darayya (Damascus province). On May 27, the Russian Defense Ministry announced a 48-hour extension of the ceasefire in Eastern Guta and in the town of Darayya (Damascus province). According to the RCR, 40 cases of ceasefire violations were reported in the provinces of Aleppo, Damascus and Latakia during the last week of May, which was slightly lower than in the previous period. On May 27, the demining units of the International Mine Action Center of the Russian Armed Forces, who were doing demining operations in Palmyra, were withdrawn from permanent deployment and returned home. Only a small group of Russian specialists remained in Syria for the purposes of training the Syrian demining units.Throughout the end of May, there were active combat operations against terrorist groups in several provinces of the country, with the epicenter of the fighting in the Aleppo province. For example, on May 25, in the southern part of the province, government forces launched another attack on the town of Khan Tuman. Between May 27 and May 28, Government forces intensified their actions in the northwestern part of the province, redeploying the Syrian army units who are working with T-90S tanks, to launch an attack on the fortified zone of “Jabhat al-Nusra” in the Anadan Valley, which will block off the militants who are stuck in the western regions of the city of Aleppo.However, IS forces tried to counterattack. On May 27 – 28, in the north of the province near the border with Turkey, IS units launched an offensive on the Turkey-supported positions of the “rebel” faction of the “Free Syrian Army” (FSA) and the Al-Shamiya Front, in a bid to seize the cities of Marea and Azaz, controlled by the latter since 2012. The government forces repelled the joint-attacks by the FSA and “Jabhat al-Nusra” militants on their position in the northern part of the city in the Al-Khalid region. On May 28, in the southeastern part of the province, government forces saw off the attack by IS militants who tried to cut off the Isriya – Raqqa highway.On May 25, government forces pushed the IS formation far from the airport in Tadmor (near Palmyra), which thus made it possible to use aircraft there to attack the jihadis. On May 21, Syrian troops in the province of Damascus moved in the direction of the city of Khan el-Sheikh, which is holding “Jabhat al-Nusra” units. On May 27, in Eastern Huta, near the capital, government forces took control of several farms between the cities of Harasta al-Qantara and Bala al-Kadim, thereby cutting off the supply route of groups like the Failak ar-Rahman and Jaish al-Fustat, occupying the city of Harasta al-Qantara.The events in the Kurdish areas of Syria have also been actively developing.On May 24, the SDF – Kurdish-Arabic alliance announced the start of an operation to free the northern Raqqa province, which is still a stronghold of the IS in Syria. The operation was conducted with air support of the international coalition led by the United States. According to the SDF, the main objectives of the operation are the cities Shaddad (Hasakah province), Tal Abyad (Raqqa) and Cobán (Aleppo). Thus, the operation can actually be considered as the expansion of the zone that the Kurds regard as their territory. The operation still has nothing to do with the storming of Raqqa. 300 American instructors were supporting the actions by the SDF, whose number is estimated to be around 12 thousand people. On May 21, the commander of the US forces in the Middle East, General Joe Votel, visited Syria, where he met with the staff of the US Special Forces that is “interacting with the Kurdish forces of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)”. According to some reports, they held discussions on the preparation of the initialization of an offensive by the SDF units on Raqqa. This was especially evidenced by the fact that on May 26, they moved through the southern edge of the city of Ayn Issa and reached the 60 km line north of the city of Raqqa. The SDF also benefited from using Russian weapons, which they had received by parachute from Russian Aerospace Forces aircraft. In an effort to stop the offensive, the IS deployed a further 2 thousand of their fighters to the battle zone. However, IS foreign commanders began to leave Raqqa, heading in the direction of the Iraqi city of Mosul. According to the commander of the US Air Force operations in the Middle East, General Charles Brown, the intensifying attacks by the IS in Syria and Iraq meant the Americans began to run short of guided aircraft munitions. For 2017, the draft budget provides for the purchase of more than 45 thousand guided munitions worth $ 1.8 billion, but they will only be distributed to the troops after 2018. In general, it seems that the SDF offensive in the Raqqa province was largely due to the desire of the United States to demonstrate the efficiency of the actions by the international coalition led by Washington and its Syrian “allies”, in comparison to the actions being carried out by the Syrian forces fighting on the ground.On May 23, the province of Latakia suffered the biggest terrorist attack in recent years when suicide bombers attacked 5 places in the cities of Tartous and Jableh. As a result of the terrorist attacks, more than 140 people, most of them civilians, were killed. IS has claimed responsibility for the attacks. However, Iranian media blamed the attacks on the Ahrar al-Sham group.While things are more or less clear on the military front in Syria, the international efforts to try and reach a compromise between Damascus and the opposition have not yet been successful. The Head of the Supreme Committee for Negotiations (SCN) delegation, Mohammed Alloush, said on May 29 in a statement issued on Sunday that he was stepping down, in protest against the Geneva talks. As he put it, “I made an announcement to withdraw from the delegation and for the second time I presented the Supreme Committee for Negotiations with the request to resign from the position of chief negotiator on behalf of the SCN delegation, in protest against the refusal by the International Community to appreciate the importance of the life of Syrian people, who continue to suffer from the direct actions of the regime and its allies.” According to Alloush, “the international community is able to stop the suffering of the Syrian people, but does not have a serious desire to do so.” As is well known, the third round of the Inter-Syrian talks in Geneva was completed on April 28. The SCN suspended its participation in the negotiations, accusing the Syrian authorities of reneging on international decisions and breach of the ceasefire.On the other hand, the countries belonging to the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, the main sponsors of the Syrian war, continue to pay lip service to the fight against terrorism, but have, in fact, continued to actively intervene in the Syrian conflict. This was clearly evident in the course of the next round of the Russia – CCASG strategic dialogue held between the respective foreign ministers in Moscow on May 26 this year. Both sides reached a stalemate. The Arab monarchies are determined to seek the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, but Russia is not going to leave Syria, because that would mean the refusal to support the legitimate Syrian government.So, apparently the armed conflict in Syria will continue for a long time without much chance of a radical change in the situation on all fronts. The absence of a ground operation against the IS external forces and other terrorist organizations is a huge setback, but neither Russia nor the US is ready to get deeply involved. Moscow – due to its domestic difficulties caused by Western sanctions, and Washington – in anticipation of the change in administration in the White House.Alexander Orlov, Political Scientist and Expert Orientalist, exclusively for the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook (http://journal-neo.org/)”

http://journal-neo.org/2016/06/04/the-syrian-situation-the-war-continues/