Posted on 08/30/2016 5:49:23 PM PDT by Navy Patriot
Russia's politically-sensitive and ultimately fruitless decision to launch bombing missions on Syria from Iranian soil has exposed the limits to its air power, leaving Moscow in need of a new strategy to advance its aims.
People familiar with Russia's military said Moscow opted for the sorties from Iran - and Tehran agreed to allow them - because they were struggling to achieve their aim of crushing rebels in the city of Aleppo.
The gamble failed and rebels fighting their ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Aasad, remain ensconced in parts of Aleppo.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
So they trade ‘surgical strikes’ for ‘grind them into dust’.
Ivan does not care.
Its Thermobaric time.
Is Russia using the Bears?
Bounce the rubble. Then drop the crowd pleasers.
The will to use power is often more important than the means to deliver that power.
Yes, occasionally.
I think they don't like the expense or the long mission time, plus they're keeping an eye on Ukraine, Soros moves on increasing chaos.
Indeed, the rebels’ ability to turn back a recent Syrian gov’t offensive, and reopen their (the rebels) supply lines has to have Pooty-Poot in a conniption fit. I hardly think he is bound by Obama-Clinton style delusions of using just enough force to (supposedly) convince his populace back home that enemies are being dealt with, or that “dinking around” with limited strikes can defeat a hardened enemy with considerable numbers, local support, and backers with deep pockets (Saudi Arabia, for one), not to mention religious conviction. However, Russia IS constrained by cost, and that 2nd war (Ukraine), plus the need to keep an eye (or foot) on other trouble spots.
Put another way, IMO, Putin can’t afford to strike in a heavy, sustained manner that would decisively win the day (and the next few years) for Assad.
This also should shed some light for those who seem to think that Russia would prevail in a major but non-nuclear conflict in Europe, vs. NATO. Yes, Russia could do great damage. But win such a conflict? No way, unless NATO bungles every move.
It would be unwise to confuse Russia's (and Putin's) reaction to an offensive against ethnic Russian speakers or nationals with Russian measured support of an allied nation and their nationals.
Russia would certainly lose militarily, but likely, the triumphant European NATO troops would have no place to go home to, and a few hundred million opportunistic but organized Muslim terrorists to keep 'em busy where they are.
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