No-fly zone would ‘require war with Syria and Russia’ – top US general

Russia Today ^ | September 22nd, 2016 | Unattributed

[Mariner]

Speaking to the US Senate, the Pentagon’s leaders blamed Russia for the Aleppo aid convoy attack, but admitted they “had no facts.” Only US coalition planes should be allowed over Syria, they said, though that would require war against both Syria and Russia.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter and General Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, faced the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday to report on the ongoing military operations and “national security challenges” faced by the US. They also asked the senators for more reliable funding, saying the uncertainty was hurting the defense industry.

“Not only our people – our defense industry partners, too, need stability and longer-term plans to be as efficient and cutting-edge as we need them to be,” Carter told the senators.

The lawmakers were far less interested in the war against Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) than about the future of the Syrian government, Iran’s “malign influence,” and “aggression” by China and Russia – all ranked far ahead of terrorism on Carter and Dunford’s list of security challenges.

The Pentagon had “no intention” of sharing intelligence with Russia when it came to Syria, Dunford told the lawmakers unequivocally. Secretary Carter explained that the joint implementation councils envisioned by the ceasefire proposal negotiated in Geneva wouldn’t share intelligence, just coordinate efforts – but that they were a moot point anyway, since the ceasefire was effectively dead.

[enduserindy]

Recognizing common interest and being a cheerleader are very different things. We as a nation have absolutely zero interests served by the removal of Assad. Isis establishing a state there would be far worse than an Assad regime and put Israel at great risk. If you deny the above you are ignorant of the situation or a liar. All that said Russia is not our friend and I don’t think Putin is any kind of hero to any of us.

[Psalm 144]

That is the truly frightening thing. Magical thinking, actual psychotic logic, from those in power. We are under judgment. I just hope it falls on them, and not the people.

[ETL]

Russia is only there as an excuse to expand their power and influence in the strategically important, resource rich Middle East. They seek to gain in strength for the time when they, along with the ChiComs, and their other despicable allies, are ready to come after us and our allies.

How Russia arms America's southern neighbors

Ioan Grillo
May 9, 2014

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- Russia's push into Ukraine has put many on edge. But less known is that Russia is also strengthening its military links south of the Rio Grande and re-establishing itself as a power in the region.

Vladimir Putin has been strengthening military links here, and Russia is now the largest arms dealer to governments in Latin America, surpassing the United States.

Russia has even floated the possibility of building new military bases in Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua, and putting its warships permanently in the Caribbean.

In the midst of the Ukraine crisis, Russia's top diplomat Sergei Lavrov recently visited Cuba, Peru, Chile, and Nicaragua, where he announced that Russia would also pour money into the new Central American canal project. ..."

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/140508/russian-arms-military-trade-latin-america
___________________________________________________

Russia Boosts Arms, Training for Leftist Latin Militaries

Moscow defense minister inks deals with Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua for joint exercises

BY: Bill Gertz
February 20, 2015

Russia agreed to provide military training for three leftist regimes in Latin America and increase military visits and exercises following a visit last week to the region by Moscow's Defense Minister Sergei Shoygu, Pentagon officials said.

Shoygu met with defense and military leaders in Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua and signed several agreements on warship visits and military training during the visit, which ran from Feb. 11 to 14. It is not clear whether any new arms deals were completed during the visit.

Defense officials said the Russian leader is seeking bases in the region for strategic bomber flights that Shoygu recently promised would include flights over the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean.

http://freebeacon.com/national-security/russia-boosts-arms-training-for-leftist-latin-militaries/

[VTenigma]

6. when will the administration request a declaration of war? from what I remember executive authority to manage a conflict is only extended for 90 days. We are long past that. Where is Cindy Sheehan and all the other lefty wackadoodles that protested endlessly over G.W.Bushes declared wars? When it is a commie progressive administration all you here are crickets.

[1rudeboy]

My pleasure.

[faithhopecharity]

yes
i understand

(Ps: I am not a pacifist, and I am definitely not against all use of force..........but Obama/HilLIARy/Kerry invasions and subversions and bombings in several countries already....
just bring to mind the old (leftist, yes) antiWar song (in the Viet Nam era),
1,2,3,4, what are we fighting for?

THAT is a question that any President needs to address FIRST, before going off and threatening and bombing and invading and subverting other countries.

if there’s a good reason, I will listen

[Rebelbase]

In 1944 we as a nation were engaged in War on two continents and managed just fine to have presidential elections.

[1rudeboy]

Recognizing common interests makes one a realist.
Remarking that the U.S. has no interest when ignoring that Russia (presumably) is acting on theirs makes one a cheerleader.

[ETL]

The Russians and ChiComs have never had a better opportunity to come after us than under this saboteur-in-chief, sorry azz excuse of a president.

He’s helped build them up while significantly weakening us. These are facts, regardless of any public smoke and mirror BS we hear or read about.

[silverleaf]

They don’t need no steenkin’ facts
It’s the seriousness of the charges

[Cementjungle]

These Putinista a-holes are sickening, aren't they? Yet they're allowed to hang around and push their pro-Russia, pro-Putin crap 24/7.

The fight is pretty much the US and ISIS against Assad and Russia. Sure Russia is bad, but I think ISIS (and related Muslim extremists) are worse.

Assad, for all his faults, is a secular leader, not a radical Islmaist. Obama has plowed through Egypt, Libya, and Syria toppling secular leaders and trying to get radicals in power. I don't support that agenda.

[Alas Babylon!]

Well, I should say, I AM afraid of going to war with them now, over this cause (No Fly). It’s stupid and fool-hardy and will get a lot of us killed.

What I mean to say, is that eventually, we’ll have to confront Iran, and Iran’s allies might well be Russia and China. We should not fear THAT, but only fight when/if it is advantageous for us to do so.

Our enemy is Iran and Islam. Any nation that stands with them are wrong—still, we cannot let our disagreements with Iran to be unfixed due to the Russians.

Now Syria, no way, no how. Assad keeps the peace. Witness Iraq and Libya without their vicious dictators. Worse now than then.

[VTenigma]

I’m playing devils advocate here with the Sheehan comment. Also I believe we should have a darn good reason to engage in violent acts against others. No valid reason has been shown me for our continuing presence in Afghanistan, nor the middle east in these current conflicts.

If we are there to prosecute genocidal actions then make the case and seek a declaration of war. But in my observation we are not there as protectors but there to change sovereign nations political make up at the whim of a president.

These action only serve to delegitimize the U.S. as a force for good and reduce our ability to influence world events. My belief is if we are to prosecute wars they should be for legitimate reasons and use our overwhelming military force to bring a resounding and timely end to any conflict. We should leave opposing forces thorough disabused of any notion of retaliation. This to me is the most humane way to fight a war.

[ETL]

Sure Russia is bad, but I think ISIS (and related Muslim extremists) are worse.

Russia is in bed with Muslim extremists, openly and likely secretly. In fact, I suspect they had a hand in the 911 attacks. What better way to launch their long-awaited "comeback" following their so-called collapse. Al qaeda #2 was reportedly trained by the Russians. The guy who made that claim, and much more about Russia and terrorism, wound up dead via a poisoning linked by a recent court to Putin himself. They found that he must have known about it beforehand and probably gave the order.

[RedWulf]

>The Russians and ChiComs have never had a better opportunity to come after us than under this saboteur-in-chief, sorry azz excuse of a president.

>He’s helped build them up while significantly weakening us. These are facts, regardless of any public smoke and mirror BS we hear or read about.

Russia should be our ally against China. China has a huge border with Russia and they covets their natural resources. However the state department insists on empowering China with our industry while attacking Russian satellites states preventing us from working together. It’s almost like the Chinese own our state department.

[Garth Tater]

Ok, thanks. I understand what you mean now. Though I really do think our enemy in Iran is more Islam than the Iranian people. I’ve yet to meet a Persian that I have not liked and respected. What Islam has done to those people is a tragedy.

[ETL]

Russia should be our ally against China.

Except for one, or a few other, important thing(s)...

From the Sino-Russian Joint Statement of April 23, 1997:
"The two sides [China and Russia] shall, in the spirit of partnership, strive to promote the multipolarization of the world and the establishment of a new international order."

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/HI29Ag01.html
______________________________________________________________

" Joint war games are a logical outcome of the Sino-Russian Friendship and Cooperation Treaty signed in 2001, and reflect the shared worldview and growing economic ties between the two Eastern Hemisphere giants."

http://www.heritage.org/research/commentary/2005/09/war-games-russia-china-grow-alliance

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,170287,00.html
______________________________________________________________

Sept 11, 2014

China and Russia to build major seaport: report

China and Russia will build one of the largest ports in north-east Asia on Russia's Sea of Japan coast, reports say, in a further sign of the powerhouses' growing alliance.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-11/china-and-russia-to-build-major-seaport-report/5738036
______________________________________________________________

Obama: "We Welcome China's Rise"
CBS News ^ | January 19, 2011 | Stephanie Condon
______________________________________________________________

[Garth Tater]

Everybody’s killing people, and there are no clean hands in the entire mess

Maybe not, though killing people that deserve to die doesn't necessarily dirty your hands. The Assad govt was elected by the Syrian people in an internationally monitored election and are the only fighting force in the area that could even possibly be considered legitimate. They are also the only ones that protect their minority populations. We have no dog in this fight but we CERTAINLY should not be supporting the jihadis.

[1rudeboy]

Maybe? Ha.

I would argue that dropping chlorine barrels on your population dirtys the hands. Just a bit.

[Garth Tater]

You can argue anything you want. Truth rarely has anything to do with it, does it?