Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

To: null and void; aragorn; robowombat; azishot; AZ .44 MAG; Baynative; Beautiful_Gracious_Skies; ...
Turkey/Syria

There is a great deal of conflicting discussion on what exactly is happening in NE Syria. Heavy fighting is reported across the sector. One area of attack is towards the Kurdish border city of Kobane in the western sector.Turkey had 'promised' not to invade Kobane. Another maneuver appears to be designed to create a Kurdish isolated pocket around Tal Abyad and Suluk.

US officials have said though that Turkey has penetrated more than the stated 30KM in places and farther to the west. This accounts for the reports that Turkish forces have engaged Syrian units near the town of Raqqa - nearly 60 km from the Turkish border.

I suspect much has to do with the sudden imposition of Syrian/Russian forces and the stiff resistance put up by the Kurds.

Turkey tried playing a game of chicken with a US position and nearly found itself on the receiving end of serious firepower. The VP and SECSTATE are enroute to meet in Turkey but Erdogan has stated he will only meet with Trump. US has started placing embargos on key materials and other EU countries the same. Probably the biggest event to look for would be the removal of the 50 or so nukes from Incirlik AFB . Not sure Turkey's response, as they may attempt to keep them as a 'hostage'. That could provoke kinetic retaliation by NATO. 3 -C17 jets currently enroute have raised speculation on the removal.

N Korea

Kim rides a white horse on Mt Paedku - a reportedly 'sacred' site. Some are linking the photo-op to a pending policy decision by Kim. Part of the accompanying press release states "Having witnessed the great moments of his thinking atop Mount Paedku, all the officials accompanying him were convinced with overwhelming emotions and joy that there will be a great operation to strike the world with wonder again and make a step forward in the Korean revolution" The statement is a little vague, but some analysts suspect this may be nuclear related. Since the Vietnam fiasco, Kim appears to have been reigned in by the hard liners in his military govt. Talks with the US have not been going well.

There was an earlier threat against Guam again a couple weeks ago. Another option would be another underground nuke test. Strongly suspect that it will be a deliberate stepping over the lines of the agreement with Trump. With current world turmoil he may see Trump as weakened and thinks he can get away with something like a serious ICBM or nuke test. Keep monitoring.

Hong Kong

Independence protestors have tweaked the ire of China, which threatened to crush protests and any attempt at independence. China has to walk carefully. HK is an economic powerhouse for the rest of the nation and a heavy handed assault would boomerang back into their faces. China's recent bullying of the NBA and other US companies to back down on the free HK movement indicates their concerns.

Saudi Arabia / Iran

More US forces deploying to SA and Kuwait area, most associated with missile defense. Things getting drown out by the Turkish invasion of Syria, but it seems that SA is getting its defenses beefed up for a future conflict. Iran has also moved Anti aircraft missile systems to portions of the gulf facing SA. I don't expect Iran to move much in this area. It currently has its hands full responding to the Turkish incursion and what that does to its plans and allies.

342 posted on 10/16/2019 7:38:41 AM PDT by Godzilla ( I just love the smell of COVFEFE in the morning . . . .)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 341 | View Replies ]


To: null and void; aragorn; azishot; AZ .44 MAG; Baynative; Beautiful_Gracious_Skies; bgill; bitt; ...
Turkey/Syria Syrian forces are in Kobani! Kurdish border town that is critical to Turkish plans for a 30 km buffer zone. Syrian forces have also shored up other areas contested by turkey. This may be why Erdoğan changed his mind to meet with the VP and SECSTATE. Turkey stuck with options of all out was against Syrian/ Russian troops, a substantially smaller security zone or complete pullout. US has warned both Turkey and Russia not to threaten any US forces in Syria. They have been given free fire green light. N Korea Folks still mulling around what great action Kim is going to do following his horse back ride. Many believe it is ICBM and or nuclear related.
343 posted on 10/17/2019 6:16:13 AM PDT by Godzilla ( I just love the smell of COVFEFE in the morning . . . .)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 342 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson