Putin in Syria

The Weekly Standard ^ | Sep 28, 2015 | Lee Smith

[keat]

Even now with the Russians on the verge of combat operations in Syria, the White House still says it believes that they’re there to fight ISIS. John Kerry says that his Russian counterpart told him that the Russians are “only interested in fighting” the Islamic State. Other administration officials hold out hope for a grand U.S.-Russia coalition against ISIS. But that’s nonsense: Vladimir Putin landed troops in order to protect his investment in Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad.

The White House should know better, because no matter what U.S. officials say about fighting the Islamic State, Obama’s underlying goal in Syria is the same as Putin’s—to protect Assad. That aligns Washington with Moscow—and with Iran, as it happens—and pits all against Israel, which sees the Iranian axis as an existential threat. Well, as critics of the U.S.-Israel relationship are quick to note, Israeli and American interests often diverge. That’s certainly the case here, with the Obama administration tying American interests to a confederacy of despots, terrorists, and mass murderers.

Senators were dismayed to learn from General Lloyd Austin’s testimony on Capitol Hill last week that for all the administration’s talk of arming Syrian rebels, there are only four or five trained by the United States now engaged in the fight against ISIS. The really shocking thing is that the White House managed to recruit anyone at all when it conditioned assistance on signing a document stating that their U.S.-supplied arms would not be used against Assad and his allies. How did the White House convince any Syrian, never mind four or five, to ignore the dictator responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of their friends, family members, and countrymen and instead turn their guns only on ISIS—a problem that the White House helped create?

[keat]

More at the link.

Hard to argue that Russia is there to fight ISIS when they brought in SAMs yesterday. Must be to protect themselves against that awesome ISIS Air Force.

Obama continues to get played.

[seacapn]

Who would the author prefer to take the place of Assad? The rebels (aside from the Kurds, who have no interest in Damascus) are all various flavors of Sunni Islamist militants. Like it or not, Syrian Christians, Druze, Yazids, Alawites, and other non-Sunnis are only safe under an Assad-style Baathist regime.

Hence, it would probably be a mistake to depose Assad.

[Parley Baer]

One thing for sure Obama does not have the heart to fight his fellow travelers.

[Hugin]

Even now with the Russians on the verge of combat operations in Syria, the White House still says it believes that they’re there to fight ISIS. John Kerry says that his Russian counterpart told him that the Russians are “only interested in fighting” the Islamic State. Other administration officials hold out hope for a grand U.S.-Russia coalition against ISIS. But that’s nonsense: Vladimir Putin landed troops in order to protect his investment in Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad.

How are those two things contradictory? Assad is the only thing stopping ISIS from taking Syria. The only other player is Al Qaeda. Obama's $45 million sratch force of dentists and lawyers certainly isn't going to beat them. John McCain and Marco Rubio's fantasy of backing nonexistent "moderates" is nonsense. At least the Russians are dealing with reality, not claiming to be fighting ISIS while calling for Assad to leave.

[soycd]

Somebody needed to do it. When Ivan finally lights their muzzy behinds up, they will beg for a pork chop.

[mac_truck]

John Kerry says that his Russian counterpart told him that the Russians are “only interested in fighting” the Islamic State.

I guess the Obama administration would get pissed if they started killed Al Qaeda also.

/smh

[SaveFerris]

[when they brought in SAMs yesterday]

Russia’s planning on staying awhile. Methinks they’re trying to send the IDF a message at the same time. Possibly the USAF, too.

What could possibly go wrong?

Oy vey

[SaveFerris]

That last part should read “WH” much, much more than “USAF”.

[Lucy Hamilton]

I’m fully supporting Putin and the Russians.

If they can destroy ISIS in Syria and then maybe sort the POS in Iraq....Putin would deserve a Nobel Peace Prize.

I’m still bewildered why Obama was given that award, mind-boggling in the extreme.

[piasa]

Russia doesn’t give a crap about destroying ISIS.

Russia’s [and fellow traveling Obama’s] interest is in reducing US influence in the world, extorting and blackmailing its neighbors, expanding its own territorial reach, and enhancing its ability to project military power well beyond Syria into Europe and North Africa and the Mideast’s critical trade route between the Med and the Indian Ocean.

Russia helped the former Iraqi regime create ISIS- it is in no small part composed of al Douri’s and Saddam’s Iraqi intel agents, and Iraqi intel has always been in Russia’s camp.

Russia & Iran will use ISIS to eliminate what few Anti-Assad forces remain and then take over, and Syria will continue being the terrorist state it has been for decades and decades, home to Hezbollah and others. Only now Obama will leave office with this terrorist state left in an even more secure position, a safe haven from which to launch attacks as it has always been, only more safe from retaliation that it has ever been.

[ETL]

We just got the clearest sign yet that Russia doesn't really care about fighting ISIS in Syria
Business Insider ^ | 12 Sep 15 | Natasha Bertrand

Moscow will reportedly provide Russian troops in Syria with an advanced antiaircraft missile system as part of its military support for Syrian president Bashar Assad.

"This system is the advanced version used by Russia, and it's meant to be operated by Russians in Syria," a Western diplomat who is regularly briefed on US, Israeli, and other intelligence assessments told Reuters.

And as The Daily Beast's Michael Weiss points out, any antiaircraft missiles deployed by Russian troops in Syria won't be directed at ISIS, since ISIS has no air force.

In fact, none of the rebels do — only government forces have access to aircraft.

Russia has substantially increased its military presence in Syria over the past two weeks under the guise of helping the embattled Assad fight ISIS and other extremists. ..."

(Excerpt) Read more at Business Insider ...

[sarasmom]

I’m fine with Russia openly having boots on the ground in Syria.
It might even be needed for China to send in some troops!

I’d bet between China and Russia, the entire problem the middle east and Africa represent to the rest of the semi-civilized world could eventually be resolved!

Of course India and the Saudis will need to sharpen their own diplomatic and military skills...but isn’t that long overdue?

And really, wouldn’t you agree that the UN needs to move it’s HQ over there?

We will of course need to rebuild our Navy...

[444Flyer]

Did he show up with a ‘hook in his jaw’?

[Southack]

"Obama’s underlying goal in Syria is the same as Putin’s—to protect Assad."

Lie.

[SaveFerris]

Wondering if he will before this is all over.

[ETL]

Lucy Hamilton, FR's latest Putinista Troll...

The Kremlin’s Troll Army: Moscow is financing legions of pro-Russia Internet commenters:

A June article by Max Seddon of BuzzFeed reported the Kremlin was spending millions of dollars to pay English-speaking Russians to promote President Vladimir Putin and his policies in U.S. media like Fox News broadcasting and The Huffington Post and Politico news sites. Trolls are reportedly expected to manage multiple fake accounts and post on news articles 50 times a day, often with sentiments as simplistic as “Putin makes Obama look stupid and weak!”

http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/08/the-kremlins-troll-army/375932/
____________________________

Documents Show How Russia’s Troll Army Hit America:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/maxseddon/documents-show-how-russias-troll-army-hit-america
____________________________

“Trolls are reportedly expected to manage multiple fake accounts and post on news articles 50 times a day, often with sentiments as simplistic as “Putin makes Obama look stupid and weak!”...”

They do this only in an attempt to win the trust of anti-Obama folks -- a clever/sneaky way to add credibility to their pro-Russia, pro-Putin BS.
Yet it seems to work on some of us! In reality, Obama is the best thing that has happened to Russia in a long time.
____________________________

____________________________

Kremlin pays internet trolls to flatter Putin
Ben Hoyle - Moscow
October 11 2013

Russian investigative journalists and bloggers have uncovered an army of internet trolls paid to pour invective on the Kremlin’s opponents and heap praise on President Putin.

Posing as job applicants, the reporters discovered the government hacks working at a small company called the St Petersburg Internet Research Agency. ...”

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/asia/article3891720.ece

[gleeaikin]

Very little recognition has been given to the fact that a prolonged severe drought drove Syrians into the city and helped establish the frustration of the people with insufficient action from Assad in the crisis. Of course, Assads bloodthirsty response set up this mess.

[SunkenCiv]

Obama’s underlying goal in Syria is the same as Putin’s—to protect Assad. That aligns Washington with Moscow—and with Iran, as it happens—and pits all against Israel, which sees the Iranian axis as an existential threat. Well, as critics of the U.S.-Israel relationship are quick to note, Israeli and American interests often diverge. That’s certainly the case here, with the Obama administration tying American interests to a confederacy of despots, terrorists, and mass murderers.

[Lucy Hamilton]

What? I’ve got nothing to do with The Kremlin.

Heck what a completely bizarre suggestion. I’m supporting Putin simply because he’s doing the right thing, he’s gearing up to blitz ISIS and to many people that has to be good.

The alternative is what? Letting ISIS continue what they’ve been doing, which is exactly what theie enabler Obama wants to happen.

No thanks, I’m for blitzing ISIS.

[Lucy Hamilton]

“And really, wouldn’t you agree that the UN needs to move it’s HQ over there?”

In my ideal world the UN would have no HQ anywhere. In my ideal world the UN would have been abolished years ago.

I consider them an evil organisation.