Posted on 06/20/2014 7:44:59 PM PDT by combat_boots
Russia Reignites The Proxy War: Putin Offers "Complete Support" To Iraq Prime Minister Scorned By Obama
Two days ago, before it was formalized that the US tacitly, if not explicitly, now supports the removal of the Iraqi Prime Minister whom it itself had helped elect, we summarized the geopolitical tensions and "national interests" in Iraq, which is shaping up to be a proxy war that makes last year's Syrian escapade pale by comparison, as follows:
The situation in Iraq, already a jumble of domestic sectarian violence, is now pitting virtually all major (and regional) international players against each other as well. There is:
(Excerpt) Read more at zerohedge.com ...
If they want the Iraq mess they can have it.
You had to know this was coming
Russian rules of engagement are likely to be considerably different from our own.
The Russians want to surround Turkey and then reduce it to a small rump state. The goal is to control the shipping traffic through the Bosporus, thereby owning the Black Sea and becoming a major Mediterranean naval power.
Taking Crimea was a huge step in that direction. Slapping down Georgia a few years ago and returning both Georgia and Armenia to Russia might be next on the agenda.
Putin already had solid allies in Greece, Bulgaria and Serbia in his plans to reduce Turkey.
I'm not sure what Putin has in mind in Iraq. Certainly, securing all of Iraq in a satellite state and uniting it with a subdued Syria would be great for him, as the Russians have a Syrian port and then they could build a pipeline and ship Gulf oil directly through Iraq and Syria to their port.
They'd control Europe's oil and gas (they already control the gas). They'd have Europe by the shorts.
If I was Turkey, I'd be very nervous. I can't imagine a total wuss like Obama would ever stand up to Putin in his drive to surround and dismantle Turkey, even if Turkey is a linchpin NATO member.
Exactly.
Zer0 isn’t satisfied just to lose Iraq, no. He has to give it to Putin.
What a reset it’s been
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/2014/06/20/ISIS-Announces-its-Next-Attack
They’re going into Syria.
Bingo!
And then get agreements to run energy pipelines from Mosul to Red Square.
Next thing you know we’ll be supporting an upstart organization of rag tag nationalists against the USSR....
like the Mujahideen. ...
I think they already have a pipeline through Iraq. They lost a ton of money in existing contracts when we went into Iraq.
I think they already have a pipeline through Iraq. They lost a ton of money in existing contracts when we went into Iraq.
If I were Putin I might use the chaos and Obama's dithering to make a move on Georgia. Just take it. Finish the job. The big factor there is the Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan pipeline. The Oil Majors would go ballistic, but I don't think Obama has the balls to actually do anything about it. Having his hand on the switch of that pipeline would be a huge blow to Turkish power and prestige. He would screw Azerbaidzhan really bad. He'd be in a position to take Armenia and then have a land connection to Iran.
If he did that he'd have Turkey surrounded on three sides with Turkey's southern flank badly exposed.
Just my two cents.
Returning Constantinople to the faith might play into this, as well...
And it was so well thought out....
Putin is nasty, but he is also a chessmaster.
I could be wrong, often am, but I’d be surprised if Putin gets involved to any degree in this mess.
Probably going back (with mountains of US-made weapons) to consolidate, and (as they expressly state) kill the pocket of Kurds, and Christians in NE Syria. Interesting that their stated target, al-Qameshi, the 10th largest city in Syria, is right on the Turkish border. They better hope the Kurds and Turks don't make common cause against them (though I would love to see it!).
I think it more likely it proved they don't like aggressive atheists anymore than they like us. And Putin has somewhat adjusted, frequently praising Islam (though he claims to be a Christian).
“They better hope the Kurds and Turks don’t make common cause against them “
Whats up with that? A couple years ago the Turks & Kurds were bitter enemies. Now they are playing really nice together. Friends almost...
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.