Day is well underway in Syria.
BBC reports that France’s President Emmanuel Macron says he has “proof” that the Syrian government attacked the town of Douma with chemical weapons last weekend.
(RUMINT) Observers have reported RAF fighter jets have arrived overnight at RAF Akrotiri airbase in Cyprus.
Conflicting reports regarding approximately 11 Russian combat vessels having left or returned to the Syrian port of Tartus. Fox new reporting the departure yesterday. However, Israeli sources yesterday indicated that they had returned to port as a symbol of trying to deescalate the situation. I’m inclined to think they are still at sea as a deterrent to US/UK cruse missile launches from available vessels. Russian govt officials also state they are out at sea.
NATO officials have stated use of chemical weapons are a threat to world peace. May indicate a broader coalition being set up.
MY assessment - More posturing and maneuvering today and tonight. With this much lead time, vulnerable Syrian military assets have been dispersed and co-located with Russian units/bases. This renders a quick strike like last year impossible and suggests a more prolonged operation once assets are in place. There may well be back door talks to try to deescalate this, but UK is hot (due to the saran gas assassination attempt of former Russian spy), France, Saudi Arabia and now potentially NATO (minus Turkey) siding up. Watching the chess pieces.
Midmorning update (with coffee applied)
BLUF - Increasing unlikeness of an US lead attack in the near future.
Seems both US and Russia backing off the rhetoric.
reuters reporting OPCW investigators to be arriving to inspect the site today. If that is the case, chances of an attack in the short term have fallen significantly.
lots of intel planes from both sides in the air over the region. gotta keep the target matrix up to date...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1VNQGsiP8M
My guess is we are being played in Syria. Seems Isis(CIA) may still be a player in Syria first three minutes of this video from a gal who has been there six times suggests that any involvement in Syria is a no win situation.
NO telling what the entire scenario is there its so convoluted.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivw8v4a1gAs&list=PLcyQI2iyeHAvTwORmuZKEIhuPAr8vFca7&index=5
Webb and Bartlett seem to have the history and know what is actually going on there, its complex and dates back to benghazi but its all been put together.
I don’t think there is a “win” in sight in the mid-east.