Posted on 11/03/2015 1:33:27 AM PST by SaveFerris
The Pentagon is sending F-15Cs—supposedly to fight the ISIS war. But the jets only have air-to-air weapons, and ISIS has no planes. Which means the real adversary is Russia.
The U.S. Air Force is deploying to Turkey up to a dozen jet fighters specializing in air-to-air combat—apparently to help protect other U.S. and allied jets from Russia’s own warplanes flying over Syria.
Officially, the deployment of F-15C Eagle twin-engine fighters to Incirlik, Turkey—which the Pentagon announced late last week—is meant to “ensure the safety†of America’s NATO allies, Laura Seal, a Defense Department spokesperson, told The Daily Beast.
That could mean that the single-seat F-15s and the eight air-to-air missiles they routinely carry will help the Turkish air force patrol Turkey’s border with Syria, intercepting Syrian planes and helicopters that periodically stray into Turkish territory.
But more likely, the F-15s will be escorting attack planes and bombers as they strike ISIS militants in close proximity to Syrian regime forces and the Russian warplanes that, since early October, have bombed ISIS and U.S.-backed rebels fighting the Syrian troops.
Seal declined to discuss the deployment in detail, but hinted at its true purpose. “I didn’t say it wasn’t about Russia,†she said.
Russia’s air wing in western Syria is notable for including several Su-30 fighters that are primarily air-to-air fighters. The Su-30s’ arrival in Syria raised eyebrows, as Moscow insists its forces are only fighting ISIS, but ISIS has no aircraft of its own for the Su-30s to engage.
(Excerpt) Read more at thedailybeast.com ...
Let me explain my theory of the mindset behind the pipeline.
Right now there is a lot of Nat Gas in the middle east. But it is expensive to liquefy and ship out to their customers.
Their biggest customer for natural gas is Europe. That is how they heat their homes and make electricity.
Right now, the only places where Natural Gas is available to Europe is Russia. There are 3 (IIRC) major pipelines that run through Western Russia into the Euro zone.
IF there were a cheap source through Syria, it can go one of two ways: Up through Turkey, across and into Europe from the South. The other way is to run across Syria and straight to the Sea. Liquefy it there, and ship it to Greece or Italy.
Combine that with the potential for oil and gas coming from Syria and Israel’s newly found fields...and you have significant competition for Russia in Europe.
Russia’s greatest revenue source is oil. And gas. So, it is in their interest to protect their markets and control the prices as best they can.
So, if Russia can control Syria by bailing Assad’s butt out of the fryer in return for not building these pipelines it is a deal that Assad would agree to without hesitation.
In addition, if Russia controls a warm water port in the Med, they can “control” those waters. I am sure that when Bibi went to Russia a few weeks ago, that was clearly part of the discussion.
Finally, the alliance with Iran is important because Iran needs to get money for their oil. But the price of oil is just too damned low. So, Iran gets to spread them armies into Iraq to fight ISIL. The protect their flank (the whole Shiite (Iran)—vs ISIL (Sunni) thing. ISIL is not going to move towards Iran to wipe out the Shiites because they will get their asses kicked.
Instead, Iran will control their western flank. They will control—if not in person, with threat—Basra. That way they will influence the Iraqi oil. And I am sure the leaders of Iraq would be happy with paying the protection money.
Where is ISIL going to go? Well, they will be squeezed south, just like toothpaste. They can only go into Jordan, Saudi, or Kuwait. Or all of the above. Or they die in the Iraqi desert west.
Now, down in the south, Iran is arming the Houthis. Saudi is fighting that war to protect their southern flank, and the Southern Mouth of the Gulf. If they win, then Iran controls the southern end of the Gulf.
Saudi does not like this pressure. They will feel it from literally all sides.
What is that going to do to oil prices? Russia increases production and floods the market. If they are able to make up the volume, they can keep the price reasonable (bot pushing the world into depression), make a ton of money, and squeeze the Saudis out of business—which is actually happening right now. Just a little more squeeze will kill them as they exist today.
Remember...Russia is all about oil prices and protecting their markets. A bonus is they get to keep the Islamic folks in their south checked through Iran.
At the same time now, the Canadians are going to NOT do keystone (at least that is how it appears.) SO...the price of oil is going to go up.
Russia wins. They stabilize the area (keeping their Iranian dogs on a leash) and the only thing left to do is unleash the dogs to the south (Saudi) and the west (Israel.)
And...if Europe complains? It will get cold in Berlin.
Russia is not a philosophically driven country. They have no problem killing terrorists. I doubt if Putin, the former KGB guy, has much of a moral base.
If Russia wins, we are shut out. Our paycheck from the Saudis dries up. And Israel is threatened.
Thanks. That gives me a better understanding. I wasn’t thinking as much fron the natural gas angle. Russia is certainly positioning themselves long-term. Barack and Hillary created a mess over there.
Yep, plenty. That’s what worries me.
Yep. I read you clearly. Would not surprise me one bit.
It would be an unmitigated disaster for Hillary who would be forced to back Obama’s weak hand.
I am not sure that Mrs. Bill would have anything to run for if we got into a shooting match with Russia, and probably China at the same time. If we got into it seriously with Russia what are the chances China would take the opportunity to sink some American ships?
Remember what I said yesterday about Bibi cutting some kind of a deal in Moscow?
Check this out...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3356380/posts
It is a shame we’ve almost gotten to the point to where Israel can trust the Russians more than they can the USA. Thanks, obama.
The White House will need to be fumigated when that dirtbag moves out.
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