Posted on 10/07/2015 9:07:45 PM PDT by Nachum
NATO’s SecGen Jens Stoltenberg today warned the Russians about their violation of Turkish airspace in ongoing Russian air operations over Syria. It was only the latest warning from NATO about Russian violations of various NATO nations’ airspace and assorted other antics. But today’s incursion — which prompted a nasty threat from Turkey about what would happen if the Russians make the same mistake again — only underscores what a dangerous place the world has become since Barack Obama became president. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg listens as US President Barack Obama speaks during their meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington May 26, 2015. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg listens as US President Barack Obama speaks during their meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington May 26, 2015. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque.
History teaches us that large wars begin for many complex reasons, and that notwithstanding our obsession with poor old Archduke Ferdinand, it was probably not simply his shooting that spawned World War I. But… there are now so many global flashpoints that we cannot rule out the notion that a conflict between major powers could break out simply based on circumstance. Consider:
NATO aircraft scrambled more than 500 times in 2014, with only a few exceptions, in reaction to Russian incursions into NATO member airspace. Russians planes reportedly often switch off transponders and fail to file flight plans, which has resulted in several near misses, including with a passenger plane. (Not to speak of the Russian shoot down of the Malaysia Airlines passenger jet.)
In 2014, Japan scrambled aircraft almost 1000 times, with all but a few of these incidents attributed to either Russian or Chinese warplanes.
Russian bombers entered US airspace 10 times in 2014, double the previous average.
On July 4th, as Americans celebrated Independence Day, the US Air Force scrambled fighter jets to intercept two pairs of Russian bombers skirting US airspace off the coast of California and Alaska.
The United States is preparing, reportedly, a show of force with “freedom of navigation operations” in the South China Sea, a reaction to increasingly aggressive land reclamation/military construction in disputed territory.
On the eve of Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s recent visit to Washington, two Chinese fighters intercepted a US Air Force surveillance plane over the Yellow Sea.
The US is planning on stepping up air operations over Syria at the same time that Russia advances its own war on Assad’s opponents. Washington and Moscow aim to “deconflict” (whatever that means).
Russia is consistently violating its obligations under the Minsk Accords and continues to make claims on Ukrainian territory. Facing few consequences for his actions in Ukraine, there are fears that Putin may choose to move on NATO members Lithuania, Latvia or Estonia.
The world has always been a dangerous place, and the proliferation of nuclear weapons has only made it more so. But not since the Cold War have there been so many potential triggers for major power conflicts. Will we get into a shooting war? Perhaps not, and almost not certainly with the current Commander in Chief. But each time there is a near miss without consequence, as most are, bad actors are encouraged to believe there will never be any consequence. Still, notwithstanding Barack Obama, the United States does have red lines, treaty obligations (to the Philippines, to Japan, to NATO allies) that could force us into conflict where none was planned.
The generals are always fighting the last war.
Massed armies occupying continental land masses?
Nope.
We’ve been INVOLVED in World War III ever since 9/11.
It’s getting to the point where the average informed citizen knows more truth about international relations than the idiots we elect. We should start rattling some cages at our Representative and Senate offices.
Obama’s weakness emboldens a world full of bad guys.
Obama has already completely trashed relations with our allies, any expectations on their part for support would be met with the same disrespect. Obama only supports Muslims. That’s who he’ll side with in any confrontation.
SHOCKING to me that Israel wasn’t blamed!
Actually, the longer Hussein is in office, the stronger Moscow gets.
Barrack Hussein Obama has done more to strengthen Russia than Bill Clinton did from the time he helped organize large scale protests against the US involvement in Vietnam (after evading the draft, while at Oxford) and through his two terms as President.
No Western leader has done more to weaken the West in general while strengthening Russia, than Barrack Hussein Obama.
Putin could never have had such success on his own.
Barrack Hussein Obama appears to have now mostly realigned the Middle East and the Far East with Moscow.
When taking into consideration what is happening in real time around the world, with Hussein’s previous statement to the Russians that he would have more flexibility after his last election, and his efforts to dismantle our own military and strategic defense systems throughout Eastern Europe, the case can be made that the complaining coming out of the White House is just smoke and mirrors.
Syria is full of crooks.
What would we gain by getting into a war there...?
Let Russia flush his men and money down the drain.
I'd date it to the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo. Arguments could be made for even earlier.
10:1 that if we get hot and heavy with Putin in Syria and Iraq the Chicoms will make a move somewhere in SE Asia.
take the next left after the USA .... can’t miss it.
You could be right, but we could also be fighting the last war if we fixate on 9/11. I'd argue that it has been distraction from the real existential threats of Russia and China and collectivism. Are some rock throwing muslim barbarians really the WWIII threat? Or is it Chinese and Russian expansionism, and the rotting of our moral and economic core?
I seem to recall Obama has said as such in his early political career.
Obama is a commie. Who knew ?
I’d be worried if I were Taiwan. Think Obama is gonna “save ‘em”? LOL!
The Chinese will likely be in Syria by the end of the month. Count on it.
Already there. There was a story the other day about a Chinese marine brigade deployed.
I lay this all on odumbo for being a weak kneed, do nothing.
Lots of possibilities:
Syria could claim the US backed coalition is violating Syrian airspace & declare a no-fly zone, with Russian air defense & fighter aircraft assets to back it up. All the AA Russia brought into Syria was never aimed at ISIS which has no air force. Iraq may be persuaded to do the same. The US coalition will be forced to stop their bombing or lose many aircraft.
Vlad is itching to shoot down a US aircraft. I look for him to down an unmanned US drone real soon. He is now actively baiting Obama to see how far he can go. I suspect that is a very long way.
Is it possible that Putin could so embarrass Obama that he is driven from office by an outraged US people fearful he is backing us into WWIII? Would Putin do so gleefully, knowing the resulting US political chaos?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.